99 NEWS HEADLINES FOR SATURDAY, 8/7/10

GOP STATE SENATOR SAYS BUDGET BAD FROM THE GROUND UP--Joe Griffo, who represents the 47th District including Potsdam said in an interview Thursday contrary to what the Democratic Majority would have you believe, spending is up especially in what he calls the "Cadillac of Subsidized Health Care." He says yes, some taxes and fees were left out of the budget, but returning the clothing and shoe tax for purchases 110 dollars or less is a 'slap in the face' to hard-working people the majority thinks it's helping. Griffo says the whole plan was built wrong; revenue is not the priority--spending cuts come first, then spending, then revenue. ALSO FROM THE RIGHT--GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Rick Lazio said in a campaign stop in Plattsburgh this week state government, including state jobs and salaries needs to be downsized to match the private sector.

BIG BUCKS FOR LOCAL AIRPORTS--The US DOT-FAA has awarded almost 858-thousand dollars combined to three local airports..Potsdam, Massena, and Ogdensburg. Ogdensburg gets the most for runway rehab. Massena will do an obstruction removal project, and Potsdam will design a taxiway rehab project.

SUNY EMPLOYEE UNION BLASTS EMPOWERMENT ACT--Phil Smith, President of United University Professions, said in a New York News Connection interview this week the notion of bringing private enterprises onto SUNY Campuses to raise money won't work; the only thing left is to raise tuition. The State Senate left Albany this week after passing the budget and setting aside the controversial SUNY bill package.

BUSY POLICE BLOTTERS-SERIOUS CHILD ENDANGERMENT CASE--Sheriff's deputies arrested 44-year-old Cherie Premo of Ruddy Road in Madrid Friday on counts alleging she called deputies alleging her estranged husband threatened her and her two children, and when deputies arrived they found the children had been dumped off to a neighbor's by Premo, who allegedly did not say where she was going, or that she was leaving at all. Deputies searched for Premo for an hour without finding her; she returned to the residence. The children were found to allegedly be filthy, one without clothing from the waist down. Premo was arraigned and jailed on 800 dollars cash bail or a thousand dollars bond.

Gloria Thompson--86--Hannawa. Services are private, no calling hours. Arrangements are with Seymour Funeral Home, Potsdam

Denise Newman Paquette--44--Dekalb. Services Monday at 10:30am at St.Mary's Church, Canton. Calling hours at Lawrence Funeral Home, Canton Sunday 4-8pm.