99 NEWS HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY, 4/17/09

GROUND CONDITIONS TINDER-DRY, FIRES SPREAD--Firefighters went to the property of Ted Walrich on Sturtevant Road in Pierrepont yesterday for a shed and field fire sparked by nails being prepped by a grindong machine. The shed was destroyed. Also yesterday, firefighters and State Police went to Remington Ave. in Norfolk after couch cushions being burned outdoors by Donald Chapin of Joy Road blazed through to the nebghbor's land, doing damage. Chapin was issued a ticket for violating the county open burning ban, which remains in effect until at least Sunday night at 7 depending on rainfall.

GOUVERNEUR ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT PLEADS--25-year-old Justin Meashaw of Hammond admitted in St. Lawrence County Court Thursday he entered the Stewart's store in Gouverneur last month, displayed a handgun, and made off with over 37-hundred dollars in cash. Meashaw was caught in Potsdam. He was allowed to plead down from 1st degree Robbery to 3rd egree Robbery; sentencing is slated for June 1st.

PARISHVILLE WOMAN JAILED FOR BURGLARY--State Police in Canton say 44-year-old Sonya King allegedly entered a residence and stole two bottles of booze. She was charged with 2nd degree Burglary, a felony; arraigned before a Town Justice and sent to the County on 500 dollars cash bail or a thousand dollars bail bond. The arrest was made Tuesday; a check with the jail found she was still incarcerated today.

ALSO ONLINE TODAY....GOVERNOR PATERSON SPINSORS GAY MARRIAGE BILL...ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS SAY SMALL, HI-TECH FIRMS REPLACE BIG FACTORIES..FELONY SEX CRIME CHARGE REDUCED TO MISDEMEANOR FOR JAMES ANAGNOS...AND MORE

OBITUARIES:

Howard Todd--88--Churchville, NY, formerly of Potsdam. Services 10am Saturday at St.Andrew's Church, Norwood. Calling hours at the church 8am until the service. Arrangements handled locally by Garner Funeral Home, Potsdam.

Geraldine Runions--63--Albany, formerly of Madrid. Services 10am Monday at Seymour Funeral Home, Potsdam. Calling hours Sunday from 3-5, 7-8:30pm.