99 NEWS HEADLINES FOR FRIDAY, 11/7/08
FOG MAKES DRIVING HAZARDOUS, CLOSES SCHOOLS--Dense, patchy fog; especially along the St. Lawrence River is making roads hazardous. Morristown and Hammond schools have closed for today.
POTSDAM TOWN TAX RATES DOWN NEXT YEAR--The Town Council passed a 2009 spending plan Thursday with a spending increase and levy hike, but a tax rate drop. Supervisor Marie Regan says the use of leftover money from last year, fund balance, and more tax revenue from property development have allowed the council to bring the rates down. There is no guarantee for 2010, however.
SEX OFFENDER FACES FEDERAL COUNTS--67-year-old retired schoolteacher Patrick Romeo, previously arrested on local charges alleging sexual abuse of young boys, now faces a federal fugitive charge, based on alleged failure to register as a sex offender in California and New York. Romeo has family in the area.
COUNTY LEGISLATOR SUPPORTS BUDGET MOVES--District 11 Legislator Charles House of Potsdam says he believes eliminating the county-sponsored home heating program for next year is a good move, as HEAP has expanded and will serve those affected by the cut. He also supports moving casino money to fund department budgets.
INDIAN RIVER OUT OF SECTION 10; TO JOIN SECTION 3--Superintendents of the Northern Athletic Conference voted Thursday to eject the school from Section 10, as they believe the level of competition is unfair based on Fort Drum kids over-powering smaller local schools. The move to Section 3 will now pit Indian River against Watertown, Carthage, Lowville, and other north-central football standouts.
OBITUARIES:
Vivian Rocker--former Potsdam resident. Services Saturday at 12 noon at St. Mary's Church, Potsdam; calling hours 10am-12noon Saturday at Garner Funeral Home, Potsdam.
Randy Mc.Cormick--56--Brasher. Services 2pm Saturday at Hammill Funeral Home, Winthrop. Calling hours Saturday 12noon-2pm at the funeral Home.
Harold "Tuffy" Goodnow--82--Norfolk. Services 11am Saturday at Visitation Church, Norfolk. Calling hours today 2-4, 7-9pm at Buck Funeral Home, Norfolk.
