790 WTNY Headlines

State Police are investigating a crash in Canton that left two people dead. The crash involving two vehicles happened on the Morley-Potsdam Rd. at around 4:30 pm last night. Police say 81 year old Theron Butterfield of Potsdam lost control on slush covered roads and slid sideways into the path of an eastbound truck operated by 48 year old Larry Felt of Canton. Butterfield was pronounced dead at the scene. His son, 51 year old Thomas Butterfield of Canton, later died at Canton-Potsdam Hospital. Felt was not injured in the collision.

10:14 AM

The Watertown City Council heard once again from those who are opposed to fluoride in the city's water supply. The city is currently in the midst of studying the issue. Those opposed to fluoride in the water say causes more health problems than it solves. Many dental groups say the addition of fluoride has cut down on tooth decay and other dental issues. Also during last night's council meeting, no decision was made on a new PILOT agreement for the New York Air Brake. A vote could come early next month. City Mayor Jeff Graham also urged other members of the council to familiarize themselves with the pension smoothing proposal being pushed by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The controversial plan would allow for municipalities to borrow against the high costs of the current pension costs, with the premise of lower rates years down the road. The plan has drawn criticism, most notably from Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner.

10:14 AM

A Watertown man has been sentenced for the daylight robbery of a woman last May. The "Watertown Daily Times" reports that 36 year old Richard Lennox was sentenced Tuesday in Jefferson County Court to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervision upon his release. Lennox stood accused of robbing a female in the city's Stone Street parking lot in the afternoon of May 25, stealing her car and striking her. He pleaded guilty last month to second degree robbery.

10:13 AM

Driving on two flat tires leads to the arrest of a Town of Russell woman on drug related charges. State Police say they pulled over 40 year old Leona Schwartfigure on Rt. 11 in the Town of Canton Monday. They say she was driving under the influence and was in possession of drugs. Schwartfigure is charged with felony driving while ability impaired by drugs, two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, and two counts of a controlled substance outside of the original container. She was arraigned and ordered held on the St. Lawrence County Jail on $1500 cash bail.

10:13 AM

A record Carrier Dome crowd will watch eighth-ranked Syracuse take on Georgetown Saturday afternoon. The school has announced the game as a sellout with 35,012 tickets sold. It will break the previous Carrier Dome record of 34,616 that watched Syracuse play Villanova on February 27, 2010. Carmelo Anthony's jersey will be retired at halftime.

10:12 AM

Former gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino is getting the word out about another anti-gun control rally at the state Capitol. The next in a series of like-minded rallies will take place February 28 and is being sponsored by the New York Rifle and Pistol Association. The Buffalo businessman is also upset about a piece of legislation recently introduced that would require up to one million dollars in limited liability insurance for anyone who owns a firearm.

10:11 AM

State Senator John DeFrancisco wants to get rid of those pesky robocalls that take place around election season. DeFrancisco says with New York State already banning robocalls from private businesses and marketers, it makes sense to put an end to the automated calls involving politicians as well. Such a ban could be tricky, as federal officials have previously ruled that political calls aren't considered telemarketing.

10:11 AM

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says an independent report has found he is an effective operator of the state's pension fund. DiNapoli says the independent review from Funston Advisory Services found the comptroller is managing the 140-billion dollar fund with standards that avoid conflict of interest. DiNapoli says the report is yet more evidence that the fund is back in good hands, after previous Comptroller Alan Hevesi was busted in a massive pay-to-play pension fund scandal.

10:10 AM

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