790 WTNY Headlines

With New York's budget almost a month overdue, Governor David Paterson wants to furlough 100-thousand state workers one day a week until a budget is passed. The governor says such sacrifices are necessary during a time of fiscal crisis. State lawmakers would have to approve the furlough before such a measure can take effect. Paterson says lawmakers should do their part by working five days a week, rather than three until a budget deal is worked out. The governor is calling on lawmakers to pass his Executive budget plan that calls for $ 620-million dollars in additional measures.

9:22 AM

The estate of Mark Davis, the EMT who died from gunshot injuries after responding to a call in January of last year, has filed suit against Jefferson County and the Thousand Islands Emergency Response Service. The estate is seeking money damages for the wrongful death of Mark Davis. The suit claims the county and the county's 911 were negligent in their duties.

9:18 AM

Proposed wind law changes in the Town of Clayton were rejected last night. The proposal, which called for stricter regulations on wind development in the town, was rejected last night by the Town Council. The measure, which needed a super-majority vote, received two "no" votes, from from Supervisor Justin Taylor and Councilman Donald Turcotte.

9:16 AM

The Bonnie Castle Recreation Center will soon be receiving a makeover. Plans currently call for a new scoreboard, seats and locker rooms. The renovations are being made to accommodate the areas new professional hockey team, the 1000 Islands Privateers. The team is part of the Federal Hockey League, a brand new league that's planning on starting this fall. There are six teams in the league including teams in Rome, Binghamton and Alexandria Bay. The team will hold open tryouts this summer.

9:14 AM

On May 13th the American Cancer Society and local area hospitals will be offering free breast cancer screenings. Women can find access to the free screenings at four locations: Samaritan Medical Center, Lewis County General Hospital, River Hospital in Alexandria Bay and Carthage Area Hospital. For individuals that are uninsured, under-insured and or struggling with high co-payment rates, this is an open opportunity to take advantage of this free preventative exam.

9:06 AM

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo filed a lawsuit yesterday against Senate majority Leader Pedro Espada Junior and his son, Pedro G. Espada, for allegedly violating labor laws by creating a sham job training program. According to Cuomo, Espada created a business he called Espada Management as a vehicle to siphon money from Comprehensive Community Development Corporation. The new lawsuit targets Espada's business practices at supposed mischaracterized workers as trainees who were paid far below state minimum wage, and worked for a two-week period doing menial tasks like cleaning, mopping and sweeping. At least 100 workers were victimized by the program.

9:02 AM

A Watertown man has been charged with possession of heroin. Ryan Lightholder was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, driving without a license, and having defective taillights after a traffic stop Tuesday night on Interstate 81 at the Adams exit. A deputy's dog alerted to something during the traffic stop, prompting the Sheriff's Office to obtain a search warrant. A subsequent search led to the finding of a small amount of heroin. Lightholder was released without bail following his arraignment in Adams Town Court.

8:56 AM

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