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Jefferson County DA Cindy Intschert has announced she will be retiring and her chief Assistant DA will be taking her place on the November ballot. The announcement by Intschert came during a news conference Monday night. Intschert has been the county's chief prosecutor since 1999 and would have been up for reelection this year. Intschert says she plans on spending more time with her family once she retires at the end of the year. The Republican party has already tapped Assistant DA Kristyna Mills to be their candidate to replace Intschert on the November ballot. She has been with the DA's office since 1997.

10:07 AM

Discussions on whether or not Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham should receive health insurance benefits upon retirement will continue in the future. Monday night, the City Council approved a resolution 3-2 that rescinds a resolution from 2004 that barred the Mayor or any member of Council receiving health insurance benefits. Voting for the measure were Graham, Councilwoman Roxanne Burns and Councilwoman Teresa Macaluso. Last night's resolution simply opens discussions to the possibility of providing insurance. Also Monday, the City Council finalized a budget for the 2015/16 fiscal year on the deadline that one was due. The budget will include a tax rate increase of about one and a half percent, setting the rate at $8.11 per $1000 of assessed property value. The budget also sets aside $165,000 to be spent on a downstate law firm that will represent the city in it's contract negotiations with the fire department. Those labor talks expected to resume later this month.

10:06 AM

The jury has been seated in the Robert Bartlett murder trial in St. Lawrence County Court with opening arguments heard Monday. The 43 year old Stockholm man is charged with second degree murder for causing the death of 82 year old Betty Babcock, whose body was found buries on Bartlett's property back in early 2014. He is also facing charges of fraud for allegedly collecting her benefits. Testimony began with only one witness called. The trial will resume this morning.

10:06 AM

State Police have identified the man killed in a diving incident in the St. Lawrence River over the weekend. The victim is 49 year old Francois Lacourse from Quebec, Canada. Lacourse was diving with other individuals near the Rock Island Lighthouse in the Town of Orleans Sunday morning when he became unresponsive and was taken to the surface. Lacourse was later pronounced dead at River Hospital in Alexandria Bay. The death is believed to have been the result of natural causes.

10:05 AM

Legislators in St. Lawrence County have adopted a new pistol permit policy that would make it easier for those applying to get one. The measure is the result of criticisms against county Judge Jerome Richards, who has set strict parameters for those looking for a permit. Those applying have to show that they plan on using their firearms for hunting purposes or for target shooting. Critics say the actions of Richards are in violation of the 2nd Amendment. The vote was 14-1 in favor of the measure. However, there is some question whether or not the new county law will have any legal authority to change how Richards' handles permits. Richards has cited state law as the basis for his policy.

10:05 AM

Former Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos and his son are pleading not guilty to corruption charges. They pleaded not guilty to six corruption related counts in a Lower Manhattan courthouse on Monday. The Republican is accused of using his clout to help his son, Adam, rake in thousands of dollars in unearned business. In exchange, Skelos allegedly offered a real estate developer and second company tax breaks and lucrative business deals. The father and son are due back in court at the end of the month, when a trial date is expected to be set.

10:04 AM

New York's attorney general is making the rounds across the state pushing his plan to reform Albany. Eric Schneiderman made a stop in Rochester Monday calling on state lawmakers to pass his comprehensive ethics bill before the end of the legislative session on June 17th. The bill would give Schneiderman's office permanent jurisdiction to investigate and criminally prosecute public corruption. Lawmakers would also be prohibited from earning outside income and per diem payments for days they spend in Albany.

10:04 AM

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