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Update: The name of the victim has been tentatively identified by police as 54 year old Debra Royce of Holland Patent. Beck is believed to have been the driver of the truck involved.

State Police in Lowville are looking for a person of interest as part of an ongoing investigation into a fatal hit and run accident that occurred Wednesday night in Lewis County.

Police say a pedestrian was hit on the Osceola Rd. in the Town of Lewis at around 11:20 pm. The name of the victim has not been released. Police are asking for the public’s help in tracking down 41 year old Royce Beck of 5454 West Ava Rd. Town of Ava. Anyone with any information is asked to call state police at 337-0036.

12:08 PM

The 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat team could be heading to Afghanistan later this year. That from a published report this week, stating the Pentagon is looking to send additional troops to the increasingly violent region.

The US News and World Report stated Wednesday that the Pentagon will be sending three US military brigades later this year. The article specifically mentions a brigade from the 10th Mountain Division.

The third brigade is currently preparing for a deployment later this year. Previous orders were for the brigade to head to Iraq. No official change has been announced by the Department of Defense.

11:24 AM

Paperwork, or in this case the lack thereof, led to the dismissal of a case against members of the Sackets Harbor Fire Department this week. The New York State Attorney General’s Office had been seeking legal action against the Sulphur Springs Fire Station. Back in the spring, they were accused of improperly using station money to fund an ongoing legal battle with the rest of the Sackets Fire Department. The action included calling for the removal of five fire officials.

In a ruling this week, Judge Hugh Gilbert stated that the Watertown Attorney General’s Office had not filed the proper petition for the legal case to be heard.

11:23 AM

Two local attorneys will be losing state retirement benefits following a ruling by the New York State Comptroller’s Office. Thomas DiNapoli said Wednesday that a recent review into their employment with the Village of Adams and the Carthage School District, it was determined that both Paul Dierdorf and Eugene Renzi had been incorrectly listed as full time employees. DiNapoli found that they were actually independent contractors. Because of the employment classification, both were eligible for state pension credit.

Both Renzi and Dierdorf were both hired as legal council for both the village and the school. Renzi was still active in his position and will be reimbursed for any contributions he may have made to the state. Dierdorf had already retired, and his pension may be recalculated. That would likely mean he would have to reimburse the state.

11:22 AM

Another sign that summer may be coming to an end. The New York State Fair gets underway Thursday in Syracuse. Fair officials are hoping for close to a million people to attend the 12 day event. It runs through Labor Day, September 1.

11:21 AM

A fourteen year veteran of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department has lost his battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. David Lamoree passed away Wednesday at his home in Adams. He was diagnosed with the disease back in 2001, and was forced to retire from the department. He was 43.

Calling hours are planned for Friday 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at Piddock Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, 11 am, at the Smithville Baptist Church.

11:20 AM

(Albany, NY) -- Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith is in a dispute with Majority Leader Dean Skelos after Smith warned lobbyists to donate to Democrats now because it will get expensive once they take the majority. Skelos says it's a crime to pressure people to donate and he's demanding an apology. Smith sidestepped questions about the controversy by saying he stands for campaign finance reforming and he's not pressuring lobbyists to donate.

Copyright © 2008
Westwood One Wire, A Westwood One Company

11:15 AM

(New York, NY) -- Senator Chuck Schumer is joining the growing list of lawmakers from the Empire State that's receiving a speaking role at next week's Democratic National Convention. New York's influential senior Senator was added late Wednesday night to the convention lineup. Senator Schumer is slotted to speak on the same night as former President Bill Clinton and the soon-to-be-announced running mate for presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. New York Governor David Paterson is addressing the Denver convention next Tuesday. Schumer's addition quells some speculation that New York supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton's White House bid would receive a snub. Meanwhile, Harlem Congressman Charlie Rangel, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and another key Clinton ally, has not been given a chance to speak. A recent poll places Senator Obama eight-percent head of his Republican rival, Senator John McCain, in the traditional Democratic stronghold of New York.

Copyright © 2008
Westwood One Wire, A Westwood One Company

11:14 AM

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