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The New York state senate is just one vote short of passing a measure legalizing same-sex marriage but the legislative session ends Monday. The Assembly approved the bill by a wide margin last week. Supporters and those against the measure made last minute appeals on Sunday as state legislators pondered a vote to make New York the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Groups such as the National Organization for Marriage are against the bill.

10:14 AM

One man is dead following an apparent drowning over the weekend in the St. Lawrence River. State Police say H. John Huniford of Indian Point Rd. in the Town of Hammond called Sunday morning just after 7 am to report that his 56 year old son was missing. Earlier, Huniford noticed his son's clothing and towel on the residential dock along the river, but could not see him in the water. The Coast Guard and other emergency personnel were dispatched to the scene. A short time later, the body of the missing person, John Huniford of Brewerton, was found in the water about 49 yards from the family dock. An autopsy is planned. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

10:13 AM

Ft. Drum officials are handling the investigation into the death of a soldier whose body was found at an on post barracks last week. Twenty eight year old Sgt. Mart Ackerman had been missing since late last month. There is no word as to whether or not the death is considered suspicious. Ackerman was a member of the 10th Sustainment Brigade where he worked as a supply specialist. He was a veteran of the Iraq war and is survived by a wife, child, and mother.

10:12 AM

A Lewis County man is dead after being found unresponsive at a friend's home over the weekend. The Lewis County Sheriff's Department says 37 year old Michael LaPlante of Glenfield was visiting friends at a home on the Erie Canal Rd. in the Town of Watson when he was found unresponsive sitting in a chair outside of the residence Saturday morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death is pending an autopsy that was scheduled to take place over the weekend.

10:11 AM

Samaritan Medical Center's new patient pavilion will be losing it's parking lot for the next two weeks. The lot has to be repaved following a winter that saw the pavement damaged from the freezing and thawing of excessive ground water. As a result, the area in front of the pavilion will be closed off to all traffic. Those visiting the hospital are being asked to park in an alternate lot, including the free parking garage, and to use other entrances for drop offs. The hospital lobby will remain open during this time and hospital services will not be affected.

10:10 AM

A Syracuse woman is in jail after police say she burned four holes into an officer's pants. Pearlie Holmes called police to her home yesterday morning during an argument she was having with her boyfriend. Police say Holmes was visibly intoxicated when they arrived and was waving a lit cigarette and yelling obscenities at them. She allegedly pushed one of the officers to the ground and burned him with the cigarette. She was arrested and taken to Onondaga County Justice Center.

10:09 AM

After several deadly tour bus accidents in the state, Senator Charles Schumer wants companies to receive letter grades for their safety records. Yesterday, New York's senior senator proposed a system that would warn passengers of companies with a poor safety history. There has been safety concerns following recent deadly crashes including driver fatigue. Schumer says he sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood asking him to consider the system.

10:08 AM

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