99 NEWS HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY, 2/27/09

POTSDAM SCHOOL BUDGET SCENARIO STILL TIGHT, EVEN WITH FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY--Superintendent Pat Brady says with a 4 percent tax levy hike estimate for next year, using preliminary figures released this week, there would still be a 350-thousand dollar budget gap for next year. This, even with the use of some fund balance and leftover capital project money, and the current state aid loss projection of 685-thousand dollars.

COLTON MAN CHARGED WITH TWO FELONY COUNTS AFTER POTSDAM TRAFFIC STOP--Village Police pulled over 38-year-old Thomas Farns on Main Street about 1:40 this morning after he was spotted allegedly speeding 47 in a 30. Farns allegedly had a blood-alcohol content of .24%, three times the legal limit. Farns was charged with Felony Aggravated DWI, Felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st, and Speeding. Farns was released on court appearance tickets.

PARISHVILLE NATIVE CREDITED WITH HUDSON RIVER RESCUES AFTER AIRLINE CRASH--Scott Keon, 50; a salvage boat operator in New Jersey was given the second-highest civilian award from the US Coast Guard, the Meritorious Public Service Award earlier this month for his efforts in saving six passengers of the downed US Airways Flight 1549. New York Newsday says Koen saw the crash and sped to the scene with his boat.

ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY IDA COST-BENEFIT RATIO RANKED SECOND-BEST IN STATE, COMPTROLLER SAYS--The Comptroller's Office recently published a report that shows the St. Lawrence County IDA had a 2007 cost-benefit ratio of -negative-$9430 dollars. That means companies generated more tax revenue than the amount of breaks they got. Some are skeptical, however. Jefferson County IDA Executive Don Alexander told WWTI-Newswatch 50 yesterday the numbers were trotted out in time for the upcoming hearings on reform, and are designed to show IDA's are wasting money as a whole.

OBITUARIES:

Mary Simser--74--DeKalb Junction. Services 2pm Saturday at Allen-Denesha Funeral Home, DeKalb Junction. Calling hours 11am-2pm Saturday.

Glen Martin--84--Waddington. Services to be held in the spring at a time and date to be announced; arrangements are with Phillips Memorial Home, Waddington.