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There will be a new Jefferson County Clerk at the start of 2014. Current Clerk Cheryl Lane Monday morning announced her retirement, saying she will not be seeking a second term this November. Lane first ran for Clerk in 2009 and says that family responsibilities were behind her decision to step down at the end of the year. Hoping to succeed her is Gizelle Meeks, who serves under Lane as Deputy Clerk. Meeks is a Republican.

12:35 PM

A Cape Vincent man and repeat DWI offender is arrested for allegedly sideswiping a car on Interstate 81 Sunday. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department says 49 year old Thomas Moran is facing a host of charges following the incident which began in Oswego County. Moran allegedly hit the second vehicle in the northbound lane and continued on. The victim and a witness eventually got Moran to pull over in Jefferson County, which is where patrols responded. They allege that Moran seemed heavily intoxicated and he failed several field sobriety tests. It was later determined that his license had been revoked and he also allegedly consumed alcohol in the vehicle. Moran's BAC was allegedly .27%. He was arraigned and ordered held in the county jail on $10,000 cash bail.

11:27 AM

A Ft. Drum soldier has died in Afghanistan. Twenty one year old Private First Class Mariano Raymundo died Saturday in an incident in Sharan, Afghanistan. The incident remains under investigation and no further details were released by the Department of Defense. Raymundo was a native of Houston, Texas. He was assigned to the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

10:24 AM

Not only will there be a contested race for Watertown City Council this year, but it looks as though a September primary will be needed as well. Thirty six year old Rod LaFave will make it five candidates for two seats on the council. LaFave lives on Gotham St. and works at NCC Systems. He joins Cody Horbacz and Jasmine Borreggine in challenging incumbents Jeff Smith and Teresa Macaluso. All of the candidates must submit petitions to the city to qualify for the ballot. Should that happen, a primary will be needed to shrink the number of candidates down to four for the November general election.

10:24 AM

A Watertown man was charged with operating a vessel while intoxicated after he and several others needed to be rescued from their boat over the weekend. The incident happened Friday night on the Black River in Dexter. Police say they received a report of a boat taking in water at around 9:30 pm. The operator, 29 year old Mahase Ramlakhan, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol. He also allegedly became very uncooperative and verbally abusive at police when asked to undergo sobriety tests. He is charged with boating while intoxicated and disorderly conduct.

10:23 AM

A dryer is believed to have sparked a fire that damaged a home and displaced a family in the City of Watertown on Sunday. Fire crews were dispatched to 517 Jefferson St. at around 5:30 am Sunday. The family living in the home were able to flee safely and were not hurt. Damage from the fire was contained to the immediate area near the dryer. Officials say the family should have no problem returning to their home.

10:23 AM

Two people were arrested on charges of prostitution. Watertown Police say 23 year old Keva Shenk of Watertown allegedly made a deal for $120 in exchange for sex, then left with the money without providing the service in question. She is charged with prostitution and petit larceny. The alleged customer, 29 year old Christopher Young of Potstam, was charged with third degree patronizing a prostitute. Both were arraigned and released.

10:22 AM

No injuries were reported following a police chase and crash over the weekend in the City of Watertown that happened early Sunday. Police say they attempted to pull over a vehicle that ended up leading them on a persuit. The chase ended when the vehicle in question ended up striking a parked Massye's Furniture van on Cedar St. Arrested was the driver, 20 year old Devonte Brooks-Freeman of Ft. Drum. He is charged with reckless driving, speeding, failure to comply, and other traffic related counts. He was later turned over to military custody. A passenger in the vehicle was not hurt.

10:22 AM

Governor Andrew Cuomo is introducing a bill to strengthen the ban on texting while driving in New York. The "Albany Times Union" says Cuomo's bill would target younger drivers with tougher penalties in part by calling for a minimum 60-day license suspension for anyone with junior probationary licenses. Cuomo also wants the DMV to increase the penalty for texting and driving to five points.

10:21 AM

Senator Chuck Schumer is standing by Attorney General Eric Holder, who is accused of overreaching in his investigation of White House leaks. The New York Democrat told NBC's "Meet The Press" he thinks Holder will stay in his position. The Department of Justice is facing tough criticism and calls for Holder's resignation for seizing the phone and email records of journalists. Republican Michigan Representative Mike Rogers says he believes the DOJ went too far by targeting reporters. Yet Rogers said he supports efforts to stop leaking of sensitive information, especially when it could put lives at risk.

10:20 AM

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