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A Watertown man is facing charges after becoming involved in a dispute with a female who has an order of protection against him. Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies say they were called to a residence on County Route 155 following a dispute between 21 year old Dean Cronk who lived at the residence and Samantha Rounds. Rounds apparently went to the residence to pick up a child as part of a custody agreement. The child wasn't there and Rounds went next door when she was approached by Cronk who then allegedly pushed, pulled, and grabbed the woman. Police discovered that there had been a party at the Cronk property with several individuals intoxicated, including a 15 year old. Cronk is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and first degree criminal contempt. He was arraigned and ordered held on $5,000 cash bail.

12:01 PM

Nearly two dozen properties the city acquired for back taxes will soon be put on the auction block. During last night's meeting of the Watertown City Council, officials decided to auction off the list of properties in an attempt to recoup some of the property taxes owed on said properties. Among the properties, Ft. Drum Vehicle Storage on West Main St. The council turned down requests from the previous owners to sell the property back to them. Also on the auction block will be 259 Seymour St. Neighbors of Watertown was attempting to gain the property in an attempt to fix it up. Also during last night's meeting, the city council decided to tear down the former Dr. Strange Tattoo shop on Factory St. City crews have deemed that property beyond repair.

10:18 AM

A new report by an Institute of Medicine panel is calling on the Pentagon to bolster its leadership in dealing with substance abuse among troops. It recommends better policing of underage drinking, reducing access to alcohol on bases and bringing treatment programs up to date. Alcohol and drug abuse are often linked to record suicides in the military. The study comes as new Pentagon figures indicate the rate of prescription medications handed out by military caregivers is skyrocketing since the war in Afghanistan began in 2001. Nearly five-million prescriptions for pain medication, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants and stimulants were given to troops last year. That's up from fewer than a million in 2001.

10:17 AM

A Sackets Harbor man has been sentenced for the shooting of his wife two years ago. Twenty five years in prison was the punishment handed down to 43 year old Darron Moris during his appearance in Jefferson County Court on Monday. Moris was convicted by a jury in late July of second degree attempted murder for the shooting of Sherry Morris at the couple's home at Madison Barracks on August 4, 2010. The shooting was followed by a five hour standoff that saw Darron Moris also turn the gun on himself. Before sentencing, Moris once again professed his innocence. His attorney is planning an appeal.

10:16 AM

City crews began work Monday on repairing the civil war monument in Public Square. The project on the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument will see the statue cleaned and part of it restored. The monument dates back to 1890 as a tribute to veterans of the Civil War. Work is expected to last for the next several weeks.

10:16 AM

Folks near Ft. Drum will be hearing military aircraft and live-fire training as solders take part in exercises. The live-fire training will run from today though Friday. Military officials say the exercises will take place during the afternoon and evening hours as crews train for close air support in both daytime and nighttime environments. Training will also take place next week from Tuesday, September 25 through 27.

10:15 AM

Senator Charles Schumer will introduce legislation that makes it easier for foreign students with advanced degrees to stay in the country after graduation. He'll unveil the "BRAINS Act" at a news conference tomorrow. Schumer says there is a shortage of engineers and scientists to fill all the jobs in the booming tech industry, and that it doesn't make sense to send qualified foreign students home.

10:14 AM

Governor Cuomo will reportedly campaign for Democrats that are in New York House races. The "Daily News" reports that Cuomo will use his political power to support candidates on an individual basis. A Source tells the newspaper Como is expected to be active down the stretch in tight races. Cuomo's approval rating has been around 70 percent in the polls.

10:13 AM

Governor Cuomo has announced an initiative to bring new energy efficient technology into the market place. Yesterday, Cuomo launched a 30 million dollar program that will fund, research and market projects to help promote opportunities for emerging energy efficiency technologies. The program is being implemented by the New York Power Authority.

10:13 AM

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