99 NEWS FOR FRIDAY, 12/24/10

RUSSELL: GOP MAJORITY IN SENATE MAY BE A GOOD THING, IN A WAY--118th Assembly District representative Addie Russell told us this week the hope is that the incoming Republican majority will be more organized and more connected with Governor Andrew Cuomo, than the current Democratic majority and Governor David Paterson have been. ALSO FROM RUSSELL...Russell said in a statement Thursday Governor Paterson 'let the North Country down' by refusing to approve the SLRVRA-NYPA 20-megawatt economic development power deal.

WEST DAM HYDRO PARTS MAKE CANADIAN 'PIT STOP' BEFORE DELIVERY--Potsdam Village Administrator David Fenton told Trustees Monday blades for the hydropower turbine have been purchased, and delivery is awaited. He says the parts will be 'balanced' in Barie, Ontario before they are shipped to Potsdam. Parts started arriving December 9th; the hydro plant was expected to be up and running in August of 2008.

HAMMOND TEENS CHARGED WITH BURGLARY--State Police say 19-year-old Ryan Thomason and 18-year-old Jeremy Davis allegedly broke into residences in Hammond and Rossie Tuesday, and also allegedly burglarized the Parkway Express in Morristown December 1st. The pair was charged with a total of eight felonies, arraigned and jailed.

ALSO ONLINE TODAY...WATERTOWN PURSE-SNATCHING CASE SIMILAR TO RECENT INCIDENTS IN MASSENA...NYSPHSAA CUTS BACK SPORTS SEASONS...