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A special prosecutor will examine the case of a Jefferson County Sheriff's deputy who was found passed out in his patrol vehicle. On Tuesday, Jefferson County Court Judge Kim Martusewicz named Oneida County DA Scott McNamara to handle the case of Deputy Adam Hallett. Hallett was found in his patrol vehicle ,while off duty, back in December. A responding deputy found an open container of alcohol in the vehicle and according to reports, threw away the bottle into an open field. Both deputies faced disciplinary action as a result of the incident. The decision to bring in a special prosecutor was made to avoid any perceived conflict of interest that may exist with Jefferson County DA Cindy Intschert and her staff.

10:15 AM

More specific information has been released in regards to cuts made at the Watertown City School District. Superintendent Terry Fralick outlined the cuts before the school board on Tuesday. About a half dozen staff positions were cut, most through attrition. One art teacher was laid off as were two groundskeepers. The school is dealing with tough financial times and school officials warn that things likely won't get better in the coming years, with the district likely to go through it's fund balance completely by next year. No programs were cuts. The staff reductions part of the proposed budget that will be voted on by residents next month.

10:14 AM

A meeting was held Tuesday morning between city officials and the Disabled Persons Action Organization in regards to those new fees that have been tacked on to the not for profit's concerts. Last week, it was announced that the Parks and Recreation Department was tacking on an additional fee to hook up water and sewage to the trailers that are often used by the performers at the Watertown Fairgrounds. Both sides were pleased with the meeting and there are reports that the city may waive the fees for this year.

10:13 AM

An Elmira woman stands accused of trying to smuggle drugs into the Gouverneur Correctional Facility over the weekend. Twenty six year old Darcelle Tomlin is alleged by State Police to have attempted to bring in synthetic and prescription drugs to the prison while visiting an inmate on Sunday, all with her six year old daughter with her. Tomlin is charged with promoting prison contraband, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and endangering the welfare of a child. She was arraigned and ordered held on $20,000 bail. The six year old was turned over to foster care until she could be turned over the custody of a relative.

10:13 AM

The jobless rate in the North Country remains high. According to the March numbers released Tuesday by the New York State Department of Labor, Jefferson County recorded an unemployment rate of 11 and a half percent for the month. That's virtually unchanged from a year ago, but is down from 12.2% recorded in February. Lewis County's rate was 12.3%, up from 12% a year ago. St. Lawrence County's rate was 10.8%, down slightly from 11.3% last year. The state wide average was 8.1%. That also down from March 2012.

10:12 AM

New York's chapter of the National Organization for Women is pressuring Governor Cuomo to keep his promises when implementing an agenda for equality. The "Times Union" says NOW representatives stopped in Albany yesterday to push the Governor on his Women's Equality Agenda -- a ten-point bill he unveiled in January. NOW wants the bill sent to the Senate floor so the commitments can be discussed with political leaders. Cuomo says certain politicians are afraid of some of the initiatives and are waiting for the language of the bill to be changed.

10:10 AM

Two New York politicians are entering pleas of not guilty in connection with a federal corruption investigation. Democratic Senator Malcolm Smith and City Councilman Dan Halloran were arraigned yesterday in a White Plains court. An attorney for Smith said his client isn't to blame for the charges that could land him 45 years behind bars. Federal investigators charged the politicians with orchestrating a scheme in which Smith allegedly paid to get himself on the ballot for New York City mayor -- as a Republican.

10:09 AM

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