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North Country Congressman Bill Owens has announced he will not be seeking reelection. Owens released a statement early this afternoon that reads "After careful thought and consideration, I have decided not to seek reelection for the 21st Congressional District this November. I have enjoyed the opportunity to travel the district, meeting, and serving the families and business owners of the vast community. It has truly been a privilege to serve and I plan on continuing to work for a brighter future for the region." The Democrat was first elected to Congress in a special election in November 2009 after the resignation earlier that year of Republican John McHugh. He won reelection to the seat in 2010 and 2012 and was considered to be a heavy favorite to win another term later this year.

The announcement creates a wide open race for the seat as the Democratic Party will now have to find another candidate to run. Three on the Republican side have already announced their intention to run. They are Joe Gilbert of St. Lawrence County ,Elise Stefanik from the Plattsburgh area and Mike Ring from Adams Center. The question is will more GOP candidates come forward now that the November election will be for an open seat.

1:00 PM

Members of the Watertown City Council Monday night continued talks of making improvements to the Municipal Ice Arena at the Fairgrounds. The discussions were included as part of a work session and come after a preliminary report late last year put the costs of the project from $9 to $11 million. Consultants hired to look at the potential of the project gave city officials a price tag of around $8.8 million. Council members once again called for lower costs and a scaling back of the project, with the focus being on improving the leaky roof and locker room facilities. The council also instructed city staff to have a report on the arena project ready to go for their next work session January 27. Also during last night's work session, members of the council were updated on proposed renovations to Watertown City Hall. The project is needed to make way for a second court room due the city now having two full time judges. That's due to a state law signed by Governor Cuomo last month that increases the number of full time city judges across the state. Those renovations could cost one and a half million dollars.

9:46 AM

Stewart's Shops is being sued on allegations that workers at the convenience store chain are not being paid for hours worked. The class action lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the chain does not pay employees for hours worked before and after a scheduled shift ends, and did not keep adequate time sheets and records for employees. The suit is seeking class action status for all Stewart's employees.

9:46 AM

State Police have arrested a Croghan man on charges that he sent sexually explicit images to two teens in the Syracuse area. Twenty five year old Derek Farney is alleged to have sent the photos and videos late last year to a 15 year old and a 16 year old girl. He is facing two counts each of disseminating indecent material to a minor and endangering the welfare of a child. Farney was arraigned in Town of Elbridge Court and was ordered held in the Onondaga County Jail on $10,000 cash bail.

9:45 AM

An estranged couple from St. Lawrence County are each arrested for violating orders of protection. State Police were called to a home Friday night on Rt. 310 in the Town of Madrid for an order of protection violation. Thirty two year old Matthew Wilson was immediately taken into custody. Twenty seven year old Erin White allegedly barricaded herself inside the home and refused to surrender to police. A robot had to be dispatched inside the home and located White inside. Police entered and took her into custody. Both are charged with second degree criminal contempt.

9:44 AM

The New York Assembly has passed a bill that would move the state primary election to June from early September. The bill would bring New York in compliance with federal law that makes sure members of the military and others out of the country have enough time to cast an absentee ballot. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says having one primary election instead of two will save state and local governments over 50-million-dollars.

9:43 AM

Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud is confirming that talks have taken place for either a new sports arena or renovations to the Carrier Dome. Syverud took over as chancellor yesterday and confirmed that he has already had discussions with Mayor Stephanie Miner and other area officials. However, he hasn't had discussions with Governor Andrew Cuomo's office about any possible scenarios. Syverud says talks have ranged from renovations to the Carrier Dome to the spending of hundreds of millions of dollars on a new arena.

9:43 AM

The Syracuse men's basketball team remains undefeated after avoiding an upset last night on the road against Boston College. The Orange trailed 50 to 44 with ten minutes to go, but were able to battle back and pull away late for a 69 to 59 victory. Syracuse remains undefeated with 17 wins and no losses. That includes 4-0 in the ACC.

9:42 AM

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