790 WTNY Headlines

North Country Congressman Bill Owens is warning the sequestration will have a major impact on the area. Owens told local media Thursday that it would take about 30 to 60 days for the cuts to be felt in Northern New York. He estimates that some 5,000 civilian employees at Ft. Drum could be affected by the one day a week furloughs, and the cuts will also affect hospitals and a number of organizations in the area.

10:18 AM

The Army private at the center of the WikiLeaks case pleads guilty to some charges, but denies another. Private First Class Bradley Manning pled guilty yesterday to ten counts of misusing classified material, but denied the charge of aiding the enemy. Manning told the court he thought there could be a "domestic debate" in the role of the military if the classified information were released. He added, he accomplished something that would give him "a clear conscience." Manning is accused of downloading thousands of intelligence documents, and then forwarding them to WikiLeaks. He has placed the blame on himself, and says he was not pressured by WikiLeaks. Manning was arrested while in Iraq in May 2010. He faces a maximum of 20 years for the charges he pled guilty to, but life in prison if he's found guilty on the charge of aiding the enemy. His court martial begins June 3.

10:17 AM

A Canton man has been arrested on charges involving child pornography. Village Police arrested 31 year old Adam Gardam in connection to an investigation that began with the discovery of pornographic images that were found in a wooded area behind a residential neighborhood. The investigation led police to Gardam. A search of his home led to the confiscation of computers and other equipment. Gardam is charged with possessing an obscene performance of a child. Police accuse him of possessing over 30 images of child porn. He was arraigned and released to supervision of probation. Further charges are pending according to authorities.

10:16 AM

It's often said that there is no such thing as a bad idea after many drinks; that apparently includes stealing a municipal plow truck. That's what police in Canton allege a SUNY student did early Thursday. Twenty one year old Jesse Montayne of Newcomb, NY is alleged to stolen the plow truck from the St. Lawrence County Highway parking lot just before 1 am. He then allegedly crashed the truck into a utility pole, but not before running over a chain link fence and a stop sign. Montayne fled the scene and was later located at an apartment, at which point police say he fled out a back window once authorities arrived. He is charged with DWI, refusal to take a breath test, third degree criminal mischief, fourth degree grand larceny, and other traffic charges. He was arraigned and released.

10:16 AM

The Thousand Islands Privateers will wrap up the regular season with two home games this weekend at the Watertown Fairgrounds Arena. Both will be against Danbury. There will be some changes to the team this
weekend and into the playoffs. Head Coach Paul Kelly will be on the ice as a player and owner Nicole Kirnan will be running things behind the bench. The change an effort to give the team an extra boost
heading into the post season, which begins next weekend. Both games tonight and tomorrow night will have 7:35 pm start times.

10:15 AM

Many businesses and consumers have questions when it comes to the new health care law, and the Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce is looking to help. The chamber has announced it has received an $80,000 grant for the creation of a Community Health Advocate to serve North Country businesses. The advocate will provide education and assistance to small businesses on available health care options and insurance programs and will serve Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. The grant came from the Community Service Society's Small Business Assistance Program, which is a state program.

10:08 AM

The tax relief program known as STAR is ripe for abuse that has cost New York State millions of dollars. That according to an audit conducted by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The results of the audit released Thursday found that administrative shortcomings in the School Tax Relief Program have resulted in duplicate and improper exemptions going to individuals or entities not eligible to receive them. Auditors estimate that these exemptions cost New York State $13 million during the 2010-11 fiscal year. DiNapoli is calling for improved oversight of the program.

10:07 AM

Thousands attended a pro gun rally yesterday at the State Capitol, denouncing Governor Andrew Cuomo and the recent passing of gun control legislation. National Rifle Association President David Keene joined supporters who say the New York SAFE Act violates their Second Amendment rights. Some state lawmakers are already considering amendments to the new legislation. Governor Cuomo has said he feels more people will support the new bill once they fully understand it.

10:06 AM

Another group is pushing for a minimum wage hike in New York State. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union is pushing the five-member Independent Democratic Conference to join with Senate Democrats and vote to increase the state's minimum wage to nine dollars an hour. The group says such a move will help lift hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers from the poverty level.

10:05 AM

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