99 NEWS HEADLINES FOR TUESDAY, 12/30/08

GRIFFO:VACANT SEATS SHOULD BE FILLED BY ELECTION, NOT APPOINTMENT--State Senator Joseph Griffo told 99 News Monday he feels statewide offices left vacant before a term ends, such as the current US Senate seat to be vacated by Hilary Rodham Clinton when she assumes the post of US Secretary of State should be filled by election to avoid curruption such as what occurred in Illinois when the President-Elect's Senate seat was allegedly for sale.

RUSSELL MAN ARRESTED SECOND TIME FOR ALLEGED ANIMAL ABUSE--Sheriff's Deputies with the assistance of Lewis County Humane Society law enforcement arrested 68-year-old Frederick Gladle of Given Road Monday on seven counts of failure to provide proper sustenance. A dog was found dead on his property, and numerous other animals allegedly uncared for, in violation of orders made in September to provide properly for them.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON OK IN POTSDAM--Brenda Thornton, Executive Director of the Potsdam Chamber of Commerce, told us Monday the first Christmas season with a big box retailer in direct competition with downtown did not hurt the central business district as much as many thought, that Wal-Mart brought people to Potsdam to shop. She says businesses that did not try to compete with the big box did better.

OBITUARIES:

Bruce Villnave--66--North Lawrence. Services 11am Friday at St. Lawrence Church, North Lawrence. Calling hours at Hammill Funeral Home, Winthrop Thursday 2-4, 7-9pm.