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Health care locally took a major hit on Tuesday with the announcement that the North Country Children's Clinic plans on closing later in the week. Debts of more than a million dollars are being blamed for the closure, which officials say will be a temporary one. With the announcement late Tuesday, several reasons were cited. Specifically the lack of reimbursements coming from New York State, and the federal government shut down, which is now just over a week old. The clinic will remain open through Friday. The clinic plans on reorganizing once the closure occurs and hopes to be back up and running some point next year. Until then, many families who utilize the clinic will have to find alternative care for their children, and possibly themselves.

10:02 AM

The Lewis County Board of Legislators have voted down a proposed office complex just outside the Village of Lowville. The measure to drop the project passed by a 6-4 vote in a Tuesday meeting. Concerns over the cost of the project, just under $10 million, was cited as the main reason for the shutdown. The plan was to build the facility on outer Stowe St. near the public safety building. Before the Tuesday meeting, officials with the Village of Lowville wrote a letter to legislators, criticizing how fast the project was moving.

10:01 AM

A survey on local economics has recently been completed by the Center For Community Studies at JCC. The results of that study were unveiled this week. The primary goal of the survey, according to college officials, was to collect data regarding the behaviors and perception of local economic development activities, and initiatives. The survey found 80 % of respondents said that keeping Northern New York residents living and working locally was important. The study also found an interest in starting a small business. Approximately one in six adults who do not currently own a business indicate that an interest in opening one in the next three years. The full results of the study can be found on the JCC website.

10:00 AM

Is being too drunk or too high to know that you're a threat to others a valid defense in a homicide case? New York state's highest court is reviewing three murder cases involving drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol. All were convicted of depraved indifference to human life. But a recent ruling, upheld by an appeals court, found a driver was so drunk he was oblivious to the danger he created. The court ruling leaves open the possibility that intoxication could be used as a defense in vehicular homicide cases.

9:59 AM

New York is ranked 49th among a list of states most affected by the government shutdown. That according to a report from "Wallet Hub". The most affected state is Virginia while the least is Iowa.

9:59 AM

New York's elections board will use its own attorney at Friday's State Supreme Court hearing over a lawsuit to challenge certain wording on the November ballot. A Brooklyn attorney is suing over the choice of language on the ballot for proposed casino expansion. The lawsuit says the wording is designed to lead people to vote "yes." The elections board won't seek assistance from the state's Attorney General's office.

9:57 AM

Casino expansion in New York has at least one major supporter: construction unions. The Laborers International Union of North America and its 35-thousand members have launched a billboard campaign in an effort to bring casino expansion to New York. Its "ALL IN for Jobs" campaign is behind several billboards now appearing in Hudson Valley, Binghamton and New York City. Union members will also receive lawn signs and other wearable advertising to help get the word out.

9:56 AM

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