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An inmate at the Watertown Correctional Facility has been charged with assaulting a fellow inmate. State police arrested 27 year old Gery Pina on one count of second degree assault. Pina allegedly struck another inmate in the head with a rock causing a physical injury during an altercation in the recreation yard of the prison last week. He was arraigned on the charge and remanded back to the prison pending grand jury action.

12:11 PM

The Center for Community Studies at JCC has released the results of their annual survey of the community, the 10th survey in it's history. Each year the survey measures the attitudes and opinions of residents in Jefferson County on both local and national issues. The survey this year found that people as a whole believe that their overall quality of life is the same, but that the state of the economy is getting worse in Jefferson County. For the first time in the surveys history, people had a positive opinion of Downtown Watertown, with 63% saying it's getting better. Residents cited the most satisfaction with downtown, Internet access and shopping opportunities. They report the most dissatisfaction with the cost of energy, the state of the local economy, the availability of good jobs, and real estate taxes. The survey was completed back in April.

10:15 AM

Continuing financial difficulties for the Hacketts department store chain means two more closures. Both the Gouverneur and Massena locations will be shutting down. The Gouverneur store will be shutting down in mid August with a liquidation sale set to begin in the next few weeks. The Massena location has already closed. The two new closures are in addition to the shut down of the Watertown, Pulaski, and Canton locations that were previously announced. The downturn in the economy and problems with creditors led to the closures.

10:14 AM

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The waterway system first opened up on June 26, 1959 and was dedicated by President Eisenhower. While the seaway never fully lived up it's initial potential, it remains a vital part of ship travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes.

10:14 AM

A Potsdam area man has been charged with allegedly sexually abusing a child under the age of 14. The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department alleges that 25 year old Timothy McGregor of West Stockholm grabbed the intimate parts of the victim's body in an incident that is said to have occurred on Monday. McGregor, who is currently on parole for a sex crime and is categorized as a level one sex offender, was charged with forcible touching, second degree sexual abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned and ordered held in the county jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bail bond.

10:13 AM

(Albany, NY) -- The state Senate again refuses to debate or pass any legislation during a special session on Thursday, leaving Governor David Paterson frustrated over the ongoing leadership dispute and paralysis of state government. Paterson says he'll continue to call the Senate into special session daily until they resolve the dispute. Meanwhile, Paterson says he's directing the State Treasurer not to pay for the travel expenses or per diems of Senators. The Governor adds if the Senate doesn't approve bills to extends several laws by June 30, local taxpayers will start carrying even more of a burden.

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Metro Networks Communications Inc., A Westwood One Company

10:12 AM

(Schenectady, NY) -- Price Chopper has announced a meat recall. The store says some products may have E-coli contamination. The recall includes certain varieties of ground beef and beef loin bottom sirloin stakes. The products were sold between May 7 and May 16 at select stores in the Northeast, including two in Syracuse and more throughout the area. Price Chopper has automatically called customers about the situation. Products can be returned to the store for a full refund. More information about the recall is available at www.pricechopper.com in the "recalls" section.

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Metro Networks Communications Inc., A Westwood One Company

10:11 AM

(New York, NY) -- A former Syracuse University basketball star is headed to the NBA. Point guard Jonny Flynn entered the draft after just two seasons for the Syracuse Orange and was picked sixth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was the fourth consecutive guard chosen, after high-scorer James Harden from Arizona State, who was the third pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Tyreke Evans who went fourth to the Memphis Grizzlies and 18-year-old Ricky Rubio of Spain who was the fifth pick by the T'Wolves. Flynn is the first player to be picked in the Top 15 since 2003, when Carmelo Anthony was drafted.

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Metro Networks Communications Inc., A Westwood One Company

10:09 AM

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