99 NEWS FOR FRIDAY, 9/30/11

CLERK SAYS EYE TEST RULE CHANGE SHOVED DOWN COUNTIES' THROATS--St.Lawrence County Clerk Gavin Regan told 99 News Thursday the state DMV informed the State Association of County Clerks meeting in Lake Placid Monday that the end of eye tests for routine driver's license renewals would end Wednesday--in less that 48 hours. Regan says the change funnels 50-thousand-dollars in what was county revenue to Albany by people choosing to renew online instead of in person; he says it cuts that traffic at county DMV offices in half. GOP challenger Mary Lou Rupp told us Tuesday the county now loses that 12.7 percent of every locally-done renewal transaction to Albany

DRIVER WITH ALLEGED BAC OVER 3 TIMES LEGAL LIMIT ARRESTED IN POTSDAM--Village Police were called to the Clarkson University campus about 1:45 this morning, after 20-year-old Matthew Knapton of Henniker, NH allegedly slid through the intersection of Clarkson Ave. and the University entrance road. He was found to have an alleged BAC of .25%. The legal limit in New York is .08%. Knapton was charged with Aggravated DWI and Speed Not Reasonable or Prudent, and released on court appearance tickets.

BRASHER FIRE BLAMED ON IMPROPER DISPOSAL OF SMOKING MATERIALS--Trucks from Brasher-Winthrop and other departments rolled about 11 last night to the residence of Lucien Plante and Family, 808 State Route 11C. Damage was reported to be 'minimal,' with no injuries.

ALSO ONLINE TODAY....

DANGER AVERTED....3-YEAR-OLD BOY PUILLS SHIFT LEVER AFTER ESCAPING FROM CAR SAFETY SEAT IN THE POTSDAM STEWART'S PARKING LOT ABOUT 9:45 WEDNESDAY MORNING; CAR ROLLED ACROSS LANES ON MARKET STREET; A MAN BELIEVED TO BE THE CHILD'S FATHER RUNS, GETS IN THE CAR AND PULLS THE CAR BACK INTO THE LOT. NO COLLISION, NO INJURIES

OGDENSBURG MAYOR NELSON CALLS CITY MANAGER ART SCIORRA TO RESIGN OVER FLAP WITH TAX AND RENT UNPAID FOR MORE THAN 2 YEARS AT A CITY-OWNED HOUSE ON KNOX STREET; CLAIMS SCIORRA KNEW ABOUT IT AND DID NOTHING