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A section of Rt. 11 was closed mid-morning due to an accident. Reports are that there are at least two fatalities. The incident happened at around 10 am this morning in the Town of Antwerp. Emergency crews have described it as a serious personal injury accident. The exact details surrounding the crash are not known. Multiple vehicles are said to be involved. Crews say Rt. 11 could be closed for an extended period of time. The closed part of 11 is from County Rt. 24 to the Somerville Rd.

10:46 AM

A Watertown man was taken to a Syracuse hospital following a police chase and crash that occurred early this morning just north of the City of Watertown. City Police attempted to pull over a motorcycle operated by 30 year old Ryan Monroe of Bronson St. early this morning, just before 3 am. The chase left the city, at which point Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies became involved. Monroe ended up crashing his vehicle on Rt. 342 in the Town of Pamelia, by going off the road and into a nearby field. Charges in the case are pending.

10:17 AM

Police have charged a Lewis County man in connection with a one vehicle accident that occurred a week ago in the Town of Lowville. Police say 34 year old Jeffery Jantzi was towing a dual axle trailer with his pickup truck on the Number Four Rd. on July 13, when he went off the road and struck a utility pole before going down an embankment. The accident caused power outages nearby. The investigation found witnesses who say Jantzi was weaving all over the roadway before the crash occurred. Deputies say Jantzi fled Lewis County General Hospital where he was taken for treatment, but later located within the village. Jantzi is charged with possessing 15 pills of clonazepam, which is a controlled substance. He will answer the charge at a later date.

10:17 AM

The Jefferson County Legislature will meet for a special session later this afternoon. On the agenda, choosing a new member of the board. There is a vacancy in District 5, which is the Town of LeRay district. Steve Harter resigned earlier this week. He is moving into a new residence in the Town of Watertown, and out of District 5. Harter has served on the county board since January 2011, when he replaced Ken Blankenbush who had moved on to Albany as a member of the state Assembly. Expected to replace Harter is Michael Montigelli of Black River.

10:16 AM

A recent survey says that seasonal residents in Jefferson County are essentially happy, and could be an untapped source of additional revenue for the county. The Center For Community Studies at JCC recently undertook the study on behalf of the Thousand Islands International Tourism Council. According to the results, about 79% of seasonal residents have a favorable outlook about the quality of life in Jefferson County. Ninety two percent gave favorable marks to recreational opportunities and 91% liked the quality of the environmental. Crime control was given a 68% approval rating. Factors such as property taxes and energy costs were given low approval ratings. The study projects that seasonal residents spent approximately $28 million annually in Jefferson County.

10:16 AM

We could use some rain. Some more than others. With the recent dry conditions, it has become a real concern among local farmers that their livelihoods will become affected. While the drought is not as severe as what other parts of the country are facing, it is a concern for area farmers, specifically those who grow corn and hay. There isn't much hope in the upcoming weather forecast. There is no good chance of rain in the coming seven days.

10:15 AM

It was a powerful storm that made it's way through St. Lawrence County earlier this week, but don't call it a tornado. That according to meteorologists with the National Weather Service, who say the characteristics of the Tuesday storm aren't in line with that of a tornado. The clean up from the damaging storm continued on Wednesday. Hard hit was Potsdam which saw numerous power lines and trees blown down and several buildings loosing their roofs.

10:13 AM

So much for the diet. The New York State Fair in Syracuse has announced the newest food item that will be on the menu next month. It's called the Big Kahuna Donut Dog. Essentially, it's a hot dog wrapped in bacon and placed in a maple glazed long john donut. Don't ask what the calorie count is, you probably don't want to know. The state fair runs from August 23 to September 3.

10:12 AM

A Syracuse man is being hailed as a hero after police say he rescued his nephew from a knife-wielding man high on bath salts. Officers say when the uncle witnessed a man grab his five-year-old nephew near Seymour and Geddes streets Tuesday afternoon he responded by punching the man in the face. Thirty-one-year-old Jesse Claflin, who cops contend was intoxicated from consuming bath salts, immediately dropped the boy and tried to get away. Officers finally arrested Claflin after an hour-long standoff in which he threatened to kill himself.

10:12 AM

Governor Cuomo signed three bills which should help keep the state's smaller breweries in business. In signing the legislation at a brewery in Utica, Cuomo said the state's craft breweries create jobs and support farmers and hops growers. He said they also help bring tourist dollars into local communities around the state. Cuomo said "New York produces some of the finest beer in the world."

10:11 AM

Some employees of the state Public Service Commission will have a bit of explaining to do to the state Inspector General's office. Acting IG Catherine Leahy Scott released a report showing the employees accepted more than seven-thousand dollars in gifts and meals from regulated utilities over the past eight years. In addition, according to the report, two employees shared confidential information with an outside consultant. The IG's report has been passed on the the Ethics Commissioner for what was called appropriate action.

10:11 AM

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