790 WTNY Headlines

A Watertown man has been arrested and charged with burglarizing a downtown business. Fifty seven year old Charles Johnson of LeRay St. was arrested by city police Monday night and charged with third degree burglary, third degree criminal mischief, and petit larceny. Johnson is alleged to have smashed a window to Avon Shoes at Public Square, smashing the cash register, and stealing $39 in cash. He was apprehended a short time later along the 300 block of Court St. He is due to be arraigned on the charges Tuesday morning.

11:28 AM

An Alexandria Bay man is facing drug charges following his arrest Monday. State Police say 29 year old David Podkowka of Bethune St. in the village was found to be possession of heroin and trazodone pills. He is facing two counts of seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He is scheduled to appear in Village Court on June 6 to answer the charges.

11:10 AM

State Senate Republicans are expected to pass a package of tax credits this week aimed at helping small businesses. The package of bills eliminates a tax on manufacturers and offers thousands of dollars in credits for businesses that make new hires. The bills also will restore a tax credit for New York State-based craft brewers. Analysts say the Republicans bill is seen as a counter to Albany Democrats pushing for an increase in the minimum wage, which GOP leaders say they will not support.

11:09 AM

Lawmakers in Albany could soon announce a new prescription drug-tracking program. Under a proposal working its way through the Capitol, doctors and pharmacists would be required to participate in the drug-tracking program in an effort to crack down on the ever-increasing problem of prescription drug abuse in the Empire State. Officials believe the new program would allow doctors and pharmacists to track prescriptions punched in just 30 minutes behind real time.

10:40 AM

A pair of lawmakers in Albany want to ban anonymous comments or other speech on the Internet. State Senator Thomas O'Mara and Assemblyman Dean Murray have proposed legislation they say would would outlaw unsigned comments like what you might come across on a blog. The pair say such a ban would have a significant effect in reducing cyber-bullying among teenagers and others. It remains uncertain if such a bill would be deemed unconstitutional over free speech concerns.

10:39 AM

Another positive rabies test in Lewis County. Public health officials say a dead skunk found at a residence in the Town of Denmark last Wednesday tested positive for the disease. One of the resident's dogs is believed to have come into contact with the skunk, and was not vaccinated. As a result, the dog had to be euthanized. A second dog is also believed to have come into contact with the skunk, but was vaccinated and simply required a booster shot. The resident did not require any treatment. This is the third animal to test positive for rabies in Lewis County this year. Health officials are using the incident as a reminder to pet owners to get their animals vaccinated.

10:28 AM

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has arrested an Oregon man accused of trying to hit a vehicle with his own. Twenty one year old Zachary Kendall of Roseburg, Oregon is charged with second degree reckless endangerment. Sheriff's deputies allege that Kendall tried to ram his vehicle into one occupied by Leland Kellner and Jennifer Gould Saturday night on the Cady Rd. in the Town of Hounsfield. Kendall was charged and will reappear in court at a later date.

10:27 AM

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is putting out a warning call for state agencies to be aware of a scam making its way through New York. Schneiderman says mailings from a California based company called UST are being sent to New York state agencies and businesses that appear to show a bill for 425 dollars worth of telecom maintenance. The A.G. say such mailings are a scam and should not be paid.

10:27 AM

Funeral services have been announced for a New York State Trooper killed over the holiday weekend. Amanda Anna of Liverpool will be laid to rest Friday with the funeral set for 10 a.m. at the North Syracuse Baptist Church in North Syracuse. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Foster Funeral Home. Anna died as a result of injuries sustained in a traffic crash on County Route 37 in Hastings last Friday night. She graduated from Hannibal High School in 1999 and was a six-year member of the New York State Police.

10:26 AM

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