99 NEWS HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY, 7/24/09

COCAINE, HANDGUN SEIZED IN ROUTE 56 TRAFFIC STOP, DRIVER JAILED--Norfolk Town Police say they pulled over a Cadillac in front of Norwood-Norfolk Central School early Sunday morning. The driver, 24-year-old Brian Hammill of Stearns St., Massena allegedly became agitated and uncooperative during questioning, then fled on foot. He was tackled to the ground on school property. Hammill was found to allegedly possess a significant amount of cocaine on his person, and a pistol in the car. The pistol was reported stolen from Canton. Hammill was charged with felony wespon possession, drug possession, and stolen property possession; and several other counts. He was arraigned and jailed on 40-thousand dollars cash bail or 60-thousand dollars bail bond.

AUBERTINE WILL NOT RUN FOR CONGRESS--The 48th State Senate District representative said yesterday he will not run for the seat to be vacated by John Mc.Hugh. Democrat Aubertine took a shot at the GOP, saying donor money was wasted when they aired anti-Aubertine spots on TV anticipating a run.

LABAFF STEPS DOWN FROM 'ROOFTOP HIGHWAY' GROUP--Ernie Labaff of Potsdam has decided to resign from the Northern Tier Expressway Study Advisory Board.  He says he is stepping down because he can, and that's a good thing crediting Massena BDC developer Jason Clark and St.Lawrence County Democratic Chair Mark Bellardini with moving the four-lane highway project forward and giving it a good chance for stimulus money. Labaff says 'we're as close as we're ever gonna get.'

MCFADDIN: NO CHOICE BUT TO TICKET CSX IF STOPS TOO LONG--Norwood Mayor Jim Mc.faddin told 99 News yesterday the Village has a local ordinance going back to 1936 that mandates trains cannot stop more than 5 minutes. Recent stops as long as a half-hour or more have cut th Village in half, hampering access by emergency vehicles and forcing school buses to take an 8-mile detour.