http://www.newswatch50.com/news/local/ Newswatch 50: Local News en-us Copyright 2009 Newport Television LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:00:01 GMT Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:25:49 GMT Local News http://www.newswatch50.com/sites/wwti/images/nw50logo.jpg http://www.newswatch50.com/news/local/ 100 87 15 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Waddington-man-charged-after-bar-fight/Z3k2KMraHkuaozdY-0uwQg.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Waddington-man-charged-after-bar-fight/Z3k2KMraHkuaozdY-0uwQg.cspx?rss=136 A Waddington man got into a barroom brawl, leading to his arrest for assault, according to State Police.

Nathan G. Rapin, who turns 32 today, is charged with 3rd degree assault after the Wednesday evening altercation at Mack's Tavern in Waddington.

While Rapin's face exhibits a few marks in the mugshot provided by police, troopers said the victim has a swollen right eye and a bite injury.

Rapin was processed at State Police headquarters without incident and released without bail for a court appearance on July 15th in Waddington town court.

]]> Local News Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:09:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Picquet-monument-still-grounded/3gy2VJNbX06pRdqdtAOJMQ.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Picquet-monument-still-grounded/3gy2VJNbX06pRdqdtAOJMQ.cspx?rss=136 It's been slow going getting Abbe Picquet's monument back up at its new location in Ogdensburg.

The obelisk was dismantled this week at its previous location at Notre Dame church and moved a block away to its original site on Lighthouse Point.

Officials with the Fort LaPresentation association hoped to have it back up at its new/original site for the 4th of July weekend.

As of Thursday evening, however, the obelisk lay in sections on the ground, and some of them still on the bed of a truck.

The rededication of the monument at its restored location is scheduled for Founder's Day Weekend, July 18th and 19th.

The French priest Francois Piquet build Fort LaPresentation on Lighthouse Point in 1749 as a mission to convert Native Americans to Catholicism, and as raiding platform against the British.

It was captured by the British in the French and Indian War.

The Fort association plans to build a replica of the fort near its original location.

]]> Local News Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:33:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Million-dollar-drug-bust-in-Massena/l5XHnCgfHkqIPvjnHJ5LZA.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Million-dollar-drug-bust-in-Massena/l5XHnCgfHkqIPvjnHJ5LZA.cspx?rss=136 Two Cornwall Island men tried to smuggle $1 million worth of ecstasy through the Massena Port of Entry, according to federal officials quoted by the Daily Courier-Observer.

The paper said the bust was made Wednesday as the two men and their vehicle were referred to a secondary inspection.

U.S. Border officers using a contraband detection device called a "Buster" found 50,000 pills - about 33 pounds - in the vehicle's spare tire.

In federal custody are 53 year old Mitchell David and 50 year old Silas Benedict.

The pills were packaged in 50 plastic sandwich bags, the report said. ]]> Local News Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:28:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/6-new-cases-of-H1N1-in-Jefferson-County/5pXi5T9R00ep8NgKUhkgUg.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/6-new-cases-of-H1N1-in-Jefferson-County/5pXi5T9R00ep8NgKUhkgUg.cspx?rss=136 Six new cases of Swine Flu have been confirmed in Jefferson County in the past week, bringing the total number to 38, according to Jefferson County Public Health.

The cases involved five children and one adult, all of whom have fully recovered.

Since H1N1 virus surveillance began in April, 186 people have been screened for the disease, leading to the 38 confirmed cases.

While there are currently no cases pending for state confirmation, there continues to be ongoing transmission of the virus, officials said. At the same time, the usual seasonal strain of the Flu is on the wane.

]]> Local News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:18:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/GM-foundry-in-Massena-put-on-garage-sale-list/6T5XUI_bckiu9sQDN00nAQ.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/GM-foundry-in-Massena-put-on-garage-sale-list/6T5XUI_bckiu9sQDN00nAQ.cspx?rss=136 General Motors is "ditching" several properties including its defunct Massena foundry, in federal bankruptcy court, according to Bloomberg.com.

The report says GM is spinning off its best asset into a new entity, leaving its "toxic assets" in the laps of creditors.

The move may allow the carmaker to dodge some of its environmental liabilities, the report suggests.

An attorney for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe told Bloomberg it might cost $225 million to clean up the site and restock the St. Lawrence River with fish.

By ditching the property in bankruptcy court, some of the cleanup costs "may come out of creditors' hide," said a GM restructuring official. ]]> Local News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:48:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/SSO-concert-at-Thompson-Park-postponed/lKXi6QZ7kkqPb6baRbBeLA.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/SSO-concert-at-Thompson-Park-postponed/lKXi6QZ7kkqPb6baRbBeLA.cspx?rss=136 The Thursday evening concert by the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra at Watertown's Thompson Park has been postponed because of rain.

The concert, complete with fireworks, will instead be held at 8 p.m., Monday evening, July 6th.

For further information, visit the SSO website at www.syracusesymphony.org or call the SSO at 424-8200.

]]> Local News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:35:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Croghan-man-hurt-in-chainsaw-accident/Cy6AIHykE0uBDUE67GccYw.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Croghan-man-hurt-in-chainsaw-accident/Cy6AIHykE0uBDUE67GccYw.cspx?rss=136 A Lewis County man was seriously injured in a chainsaw accident Wednesday morning.

Sheriff's investigators say 54 year old Bruce Lyndaker was cutting logs along the Belfort Road in Croghan when the saw kicked back, hitting him in the face, chest and wrist.

Croghan ambulance took Lyndaker to a landing zone at Barne's Corners where he was airlifted to University Hospital in Syracuse. ]]> Local News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:24:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Murder-victim-linked-to-Russian-drug-smuggling/97TklqoM5Eib_zCPOaMGzw.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Murder-victim-linked-to-Russian-drug-smuggling/97TklqoM5Eib_zCPOaMGzw.cspx?rss=136 A St. Lawrence County man was under investigation for marijuana smuggling when he was murdered last year, federal authorities revealed Wednesday.

Authorities announced the arrests of eight suspects for allegedly smugging marijuana for Russian organized crime - smuggling amounting to $27 million worth of the drug over a three-year period.

Dan Simonds was a ninth suspect at the time of his murder last year at his home in Stockholm, authorities said.  Simonds had allegedly been making twice-monthly deliveries of marijuana to the Cleveland, Ohio area.

The investigation began in Cleveland and traced marijuana deliveries back to Simonds in St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties.

While the probe was underway, Simonds was murdered at his home on May 12th. The investigation into that revealed ties to cross-border trafficking.

A large amount of marijuana and cash were found at Simonds home in the wake of his murder. Seven defendants are under federal indictment for their roles in Simonds' death.

Marijuana shipments to Ohio continued, authorities said, leading to the identification of more suspected traffickers.

Those under surveillance were also found to be supplying several other areas in the Northeast including New York State.

The investigation led to search warrants for private homes in the Franklin County towns of Dickinson and Waverley and in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence County.

A number of homes, safe deposit boxes and businesses in Ohio were also searched.

So far, over $1.3 million in U.S. currency has been seized along with 14 vehicles, 2 utility trailers, 3 ATVs, a snowmobile, a boat and a pound of cocaine.

Arrested so far:

• Sabrina Fraser, 38, Dickinson
• Harold J. Fraser, 43, Dickinson
• William F. Votra, 41, Hopkinton
• Randy Langdon, 39, St. Regis Falls
• Jovane R. Rosa, 26, Troy
• Konstantin B. Sorin, 23, Beachwood, Ohio
• Ashley R. Schmid, 21, Beachwood, Ohio
• Mark A. Veverka, 24, Willoughby, Ohio

]]> Local News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:48:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Johns-Morning-Newscast/SUCiL0FP-kyK0gNAoPlWfg.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Johns-Morning-Newscast/SUCiL0FP-kyK0gNAoPlWfg.cspx?rss=136 Watch NewsWatch50.com's morning newscast. And join John Moore on NewsWatch50 between 6 and 9 a.m. weekdays for the day's top stories.

For Iphone viewers, Click goto our Video Section ]]> Local News Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:32:00 GMT John's Morning Newscast http://www.newswatch50.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=7@wwti.dayport.com&navCatId=13 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Theresa-man-faces-105-count-rape-indictment/wDIhm1XAgU2ojO0xiAaG2A.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Theresa-man-faces-105-count-rape-indictment/wDIhm1XAgU2ojO0xiAaG2A.cspx?rss=136 A Jefferson County man faces a 105 count indictment for allegedly raping a teenage girl repeatedly for more than a year.

Shane E. Mathous, 44, was indicted for 92 counts of rape, five counts of coercion, five counts of sexual abuse and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

The indictment says Mathous raped a girl between April 2007 and August 2008 while she was 14, 15 and 16 years old.

He also allegedly threatened to kill her and her mother if she reported the abuse.

Mathous has previous arrests including a 1991 charge of allegedly raping a 13 year old girl, according to archives of the Watertown Daily Times.

In 1992 he was accused of the statutory rape of a 16 year old girl.

Also in 1992 he was charged with criminal trespass and harassment.

In 1995 he was charged with welfare fraud.

Mathous is not listed on the state's registry of level 2 and 3 sex offenders.

He's in Jefferson County jail with bail set at $25,000. ]]> Local News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Robbery-suspects-may-have-ties-to-Watertown/nTuAdigERkqddO8MgVFZAw.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Robbery-suspects-may-have-ties-to-Watertown/nTuAdigERkqddO8MgVFZAw.cspx?rss=136 Several men allegedly involved in a robbery in the Syracuse area may have ties to Watertown, according to police radio reports overheard this morning.

Police were advised to be on the lookout for a white, 15-passenger GMC van allegedly used in a strong-arm robbery at WalMart in the Cicero Mall.

At three white males were believed to be in the van, according to the alert.

The suspects were believed to be among a group of college students engaged in door-to-door solicitations in the Watertown area. ]]> Local News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:26:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Police-drunk-driver-hit-pedestrian-in-wheelchair/C--djINHlEOjKG5ZFayoOw.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Police-drunk-driver-hit-pedestrian-in-wheelchair/C--djINHlEOjKG5ZFayoOw.cspx?rss=136 A drunk driver hit a person in a wheelchair and left the scene, according to Watertown City Police.

It happened just after midnight on Wednesday in the 200 block of State Street, police said.

Eighteen-year old Andrew T. Bombard of Sackets Harbor is charged with aggravated DWI along with leaving the scene of an accident, speeding, failure to keep right and marijuana possession.

Bombard was stopped in the 300 block of Franklin Street and allegedly registered a .21 percent blood alcohol level.

He was issued appearance tickets and released without bail.

]]> Local News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:10:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Lisbon-woman-accused-of-keeping-wild-animals/nSmYSqRF8ky1HpGaDt8P_A.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Lisbon-woman-accused-of-keeping-wild-animals/nSmYSqRF8ky1HpGaDt8P_A.cspx?rss=136 A St. Lawrence County woman is accused of illegally keeping wild animals at her home.

Susan Sattler, 44, Murphy Road, is charged by DEC officers with 11 counts of unlawful possession of wildlife.

Sattler once had a wildlife rehabilitator license but it was revoked last year when she allegedly allowed children to have contact with a raccoon that she wasn't authorized to rehabilitate.

On June 1st, DEC officers and a special agent with U.S. Fish and Wildlife seized four birds of prey from Sattler's residence followed by two raccoons on June 2nd.

Officers returned to her home on June 29th with a search warrant, allegedly finding four other birds of prey and another raccoon.

The animals were in the home's living room, not only improper for the animals, but potentially exposing humans to disease, DEC officials said.

The birds of prey include a Coopers Hawk, a Barn Owl, a Red-Tailed Hawk,  and a Great Horned Owl.

Each alleged violation carries a fine of up to $250 and/or 15 days in jail.

Sattler was also charged with reckless endangerment for exposing the children to the raccoon, a potential rabies vector.

All of the animals seized tested negative for rabies. ]]> Local News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:13:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Unshackle-Upstate-calls-for-reform-in-Albany/rv3ZXnlvgUK1w-SRUGH4QA.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Unshackle-Upstate-calls-for-reform-in-Albany/rv3ZXnlvgUK1w-SRUGH4QA.cspx?rss=136 An upstate coalition of business and trade organizations is among those calling for the State Senate to get back to work.

Brian Sampson,  Executive director of Unshackle Upstate was in Watertown Wednesday morning, speaking to the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce.

His bi-partisan group says New York is on the brink of becoming a national embarrassment because of the way it treats its taxpayers.

However, voters are largely to blame as they keep returning incumbents to office, Sampson said.

"I think for far too long we've seen incumbents go back to Albany because everybody believes that their elected official isn't bad, it's the other ones. So we really have to start educating the taxpayer," Sampson said.

Unshackle Upstate's figures show that the latest state budget adds over $1,300 onto the taxes of the average family of four.

"And it's kind of a nickel and dime approach... so no one really sees this big impact; it's just money that drips out of their pocket," Sampson said.

Visit the Unshackle Upstate website, here. 

Meanwhile, Chamber Executive Karen Delmonico said the power play taking place in the State Senate could hurt industrial prospects eying the Empire State.

"I think businesses really look at what the business climate is. And it's very confusing what's going on. And we really need a government doing what it's supposed to do," Delmonico said.

Ms. Delmonico was in Albany Tuesday at Governor Paterson's invitation, standing among county officials supporting the Governor's call for the Senate to resume its work. ]]> Local News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:27:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Councilmans-pickup-stolen-recovered/NUCSzDMpu0aN12GsTje8kg.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Councilmans-pickup-stolen-recovered/NUCSzDMpu0aN12GsTje8kg.cspx?rss=136 Watertown City Councilman Jeff Smith is back behind the wheel of his pickup after it was stolen from his Keyes Avenue home, according to Mayor Jeff Graham.

The theft took place in the overnight hours.

On Graham's blog, Mayor Graham's view, he reported that Smith told him the 1998 F-150 Ford was recovered by city police this morning behind the Globe mini-mall building.

]]> Local News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:39:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/GOP-clerk-candidate-to-get-Independence-line/NrAGdpn-mki6YiD0V7LlyQ.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/GOP-clerk-candidate-to-get-Independence-line/NrAGdpn-mki6YiD0V7LlyQ.cspx?rss=136 The expected Republican candidate for Jefferson County Clerk will also get the Independence Party line on the November ballot.

Meeting in West Carthage Tuesday night, the party's committee gave its nod to Cheryl Lane, who is currently a clerk at the county DMV.

Lane is expected to face Democrat Gertrude Karris of Sackets Harbor in the fall election.

"She's the perfect fit for the job," said county Independence Party chair John Rice.

The committee also expressed its preference for County Judge Kim Martusewicz for reelection.

However, the rules say that in a judicial race, there has to be a primary. Martusewicz is being challenged by Republican John Hallett. ]]> Local News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:30:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Abandoned-home-destroyed-by-fire/jyb1EvYURUa4lMvxXDM93g.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Abandoned-home-destroyed-by-fire/jyb1EvYURUa4lMvxXDM93g.cspx?rss=136 An early morning fire destroyed a vacant house in the Lewis County town of Croghan.

Firefighters were called to 9977 Third Road about 4:30 Wednesday morning. The found the structure fully involved when they arrived.

The house was owned by John Honer who did have insurance on it, according to fire officials.

The cause of the fire is undetermined.

The blaze was reported by Patrick Plank, who lives nearby on the Second Road.

]]> Local News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:16:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Fort-Drum-soldier-killed-in-Afghanistan/88-LwGP63EG65oJCbhRYjw.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/Fort-Drum-soldier-killed-in-Afghanistan/88-LwGP63EG65oJCbhRYjw.cspx?rss=136 Another Fort Drum soldier has been killed in action in Afghanistan.

Sgt. Terry J. Lynch, 22, of Shepherd, Mont., died June 29 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle, according to military officials.

He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

Lynch arrived at Fort Drum in November, 2005. He is survived by his father. ]]> Local News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:56:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/State-Senate-meets-nothing-accomplished/4uOHHf1_C0a-PQ2W9bLjVA.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/State-Senate-meets-nothing-accomplished/4uOHHf1_C0a-PQ2W9bLjVA.cspx?rss=136 Update: Democrats convened a session and tried to pass non-controversial items including Power for Jobs. They thought they had the 32 necessary votes because Republican Senator Frank Padavan was in the chamber briefly and was thus counted as a "yes" vote. However Padavan later phoned Governor Paterson saying he was only passing through the chamber as a shortcut before the session convened. Paterson then said he would not sign any bills approved in the session and ordered all Senators to convene at 7 p.m.  Paterson was joined in a press conference by county executives and other county officials from around the state and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg via satellite, all of them urging the Senate to do its job.

Albany (WSYR-TV) – Members of the State Senate met in Chambers for approximately 15 minutes, but like previous times, they did not get any work done.

The Democratic roll call took place with no Republican members in the chamber. As the Democrats asked for a list of all the senators that were not present, the Senate Republicans began to file in, as their names were read.

As the Republicans filed in, Democratic Senate Leader Malcolm Smith immediately asked for the Senate to be at ease; an attempt by the Republican leader Dean Skelos was not recognized by the chair.

Sen. Skelos said the Republican leadership did not recognize the chair, since in their opinion; Sen. Pedro Espada was elected as President of the Senate earlier in the month.

Democratic Senator Klein adjourned the session.
]]> Local News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:06:00 GMT http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/New-CEO-Vice-President-named-for-Hacketts/1Is4QzDLaE2wO0zQTflnog.cspx?rss=136 http://www.newswatch50.com:80/news/local/story/New-CEO-Vice-President-named-for-Hacketts/1Is4QzDLaE2wO0zQTflnog.cspx?rss=136 A new Vice President and Chief Executive Officer has been named for the struggling Hackett's Hardware chain.

Herbert Becker is described as a veteran of both the retail and internet industries, with over 30 years in retail including more than 20 years as a senior executive.

The appointment was announced by Hackett's parent company, Seaway Valley Capital Corporation.

"I believe the core Hackett's brand has value, and my focus will be to position it in the marketplace to maximize this value," Becker is quoted as saying. "I also believe in the staff at Hackett's and together I truly believe we are going to make a change."

Becker said his initial goals would be streamline current operations, diversify its product mix to attract a broader customer base, and to aggressively purse an e-commerce division.

His background includes extensive experience with public corporations, internet companies and on-line shopping and e-commerce, the press release said.

Hackett's has been forced to close five stores in recent months due to financial problems that started in 2008 when its major line of credit was cut off. ]]> Local News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:25:00 GMT