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A lone wolf no more, Aaron Woolf may have some competition for the Democratic nomination for Congress here in Northern New York. Former St. Lawrence County Democratic Party Chairman Stephen Burke of Macomb announced today his intention to get his name on the Democratic line for the 21st District election this November. Should he get the required number of signatures, Burke will force a primary in June against Woolf. Woolf was named as the preferred Democratic candidate at a meeting last month attended by party leaders. Current Congressman, Democrat Bill Owens, announced in January that he would not be seeking another term.

11:29 AM

New York Senator Kirsten Gillbrand is proposing legislation designed to ease the burden of rising child care costs. Gillibrand says it would help families who don't earn enough for a tax credit. Gillibrand's proposal would triple the current federal child care tax credit for one child to three-thousand-dollars and would make it refundable.

10:58 AM

Ft. Drum continues to have a huge economic impact on the North Country, but just how much is down compared to other years. The economic value of the military base in 2013 was $1.42 billion, that's a nearly 2% drop from 2012 where it was measured at $1.44 billion. The military is the largest employer in the area in terms of both military and civilian jobs. The annual payroll for soldiers is $966 million while the civilian payroll of $206 million. In 2013, more than $125 million in military contracts were awarded to local businesses.

9:46 AM

A Lyons Falls man who allegedly led police on a high speed pursuit Friday night is facing a host of charges. The Lewis County Sheriff's Department says police tried to pull over 33 year old Timothy Carmen failed to stop for police on center St. in the village and was pursued by police into Oneida County. Spike strips were used to puncture three tires on his car and he was eventually stopped near Holland Patent and taken into custody without incident. Carmen also allegedly possessed methamphetamine. He is charged with seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, speeding, third degree unlawfully fleeing a police officer, and third degree aggravated unlicensed operation. Carmen was ordered held on $1000 cash bail.

9:46 AM

State Police have arrested a St. Lawrence County man on a charge of animal cruelty. It stems from an investigation that led to a search warrant the previous home of 42 year old Stephen Weston on State Rt. 310 in the Town of Madrid. Police say they found 18 dead chickens in a coop, 9 dead rabbits in a cage, and a wild hen turkey in poor health. Weston was charged with Cruelty to Animals by Failing To Provide Proper Sustenance. Weston was released on an appearance ticket.

9:45 AM

A dispute in the Town of Potsdam included the use of a gun, but no one was hurt by the firearm. The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department was called to the Gregory Spring home on Rt. 56 early Saturday. According to police, 34 year old Xaver Vanarsdale entered the home and refused to leave. The two got into a physical altercation. Spring at one point grabbed a loaded rifle, and allegedly fired a shot in Vanarsdale's direction. Both suffered injuries from the physical altercation. Spring was charged with first degree reckless endangerment, second degree menacing, and third degree assault. He was arraigned and released on probation supervision. Vanarsdale was charged with third degree assault and second degree criminal trespass. He was arraigned and released. The investigation is continuing.

9:44 AM

New York’s senior senator says e-cigarette companies must stop marketing their products to children. Senator Chuck Schumer says companies are appealing directly to kids by adding flavors to the products like bubble gum and cotton candy and leaving the word “cigarette” out of the name and calling them "e-hookahs" or "vape pens." Schumer announced Sunday he is pushing legislation in the Senate that would put an end to such advertising. Schumer’s action comes in light of a recently released study showing that kids who smoke e-cigarettes are seven times more likely to eventually smoke normal cigarettes than those who do not smoke e-cigarettes.

9:44 AM

The Syracuse men's basketball team heads into postseason play on a winning note. Syracuse traveled to Florida State yesterday and rolled past the Seminoles by a score of 74-58. CJ Fair scored 22 points and Jerami Grant returned from a back injury to add 16 points to lead the Orange. Syracuse now heads into their first ACC Tournament as a number-two seed, where they will face either North Carolina State, Miami or Virginia Tech.

9:43 AM

The victims of convicted killer David Renz are suing the federal probation office for 110-million dollars. Lori Bresnahan was killed and her ten-year-old daughter was raped by Renz after he removed his ankle bracelet and left his home undetected last March. The two victims were kiddnapped at the Great Northern Mall near Syracuse. Bresnahan's estate and the guardian for the child say the probation office's failure to keep track of him as he awaited trial for child pornography possession made the crime possible.

9:43 AM

Two prominent Buffalo area Republicans are pushing Donald Trump to decide whether he is running for governor. Buffalo developer and school board member Carl Paladino is joined by Erie County Republican Chairman Nicholas Langworthy in urging a quick decision by Trump. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino launched his candidacy last week, and the two men says the time is now for Trump to declare his intentions.

9:42 AM

The state of New York is launching a new bus service to shuttle people from New York City and Toronto to upstate ski areas. The "I Ski NY" bus will shuttle skiers from the city to 13 different mountains in the Hudson Valley, Adirondacks, Catskills and Central New York. The Toronto buses will deliver skiers to six different mountains in Western New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo was joined by hundreds of state and local officials, staff and winter sports enthusiasts for the announcement yesterday in Lake Placid.

9:41 AM

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