99 NEWS HEADLINES FOR WEDNESDAY, 2/11/09

POTSDAM TOWN COUNCIL APPROVES RECOMMENDATIONS OF ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE--The Council voted unanimously Tuesday to support a slate of recommendations to include preparing the Board of Assessment Review before Grievance Day. The Council also voted to support a St. Lawrence County Legislative Finance Committee resolution headed for the full board supporting a different way to inform taxpayers of their estimated tax bills, in lieu of the current disclosure statements. Many of those statements turned out to be inaccurate in the Town of Potsdam last year, sparking protest that continues to this day.

SUNY POTSDAM STUDENTS PROTEST BUDGET CUTS, TUITION HIKES--Hundreds of students participated yesterday in a rally against a 310-dollar-a semester tuition hike, 90 percent of which will go into the General Fund to help balance the State Budget. The protest took the form of speeches, petition signing, and a massive e-mail, fax, and letter-writing campaign to Albany.

AKWESASNE COPS HIT WITH PARTIAL BLAME FOR TRIPLE-FATAL CRASH ON CORNWALL ISLAND--Two Canadian Mohawk Police officers were charged recently with negligence related to the crash last year where a Massena couple was killed, as well as an Akwesasne tobacco smuggler. The negligence is related to speeds at which police drove in the pursuit of the smuggler.

WRIGHT UP FOR DANC JOB, BLOG SAYS--According to the blog 'dabrinker report,' Former State Senator James Wright, who stepped down from office last year to take a lobbying job, has apparently been interviewing for the Executive Director position at the Development Authority of the North Country. If hired, Wright would replace Bob Juravich who is retiring at the end of March.

ALSO ONLINE TODAY....HOTEL, CONDO PLANS IN OGDENSBURG...MANY POLICE BLOTTER ITEMS...FRANKLIN COUNTY MAN FOUND GUILTY IN RAPE TRIAL..

OBITUARIES:

Gilbert Webber--90--Parishville. Services 3pm today at Garner Funeral Home, Potsdam. A calling hour will be held at the funeral home from 2-3pm.

Christopher Reif--47--Potsdam.  Services Monday, Feb.16th at 8pm at Seymour Funeral Home, Potsdam.  Calling hours Feb. 16th at the funeral home 2-4, 6-8pm.