Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Tornadoes in western New York

Last week, it was earthquakes -- this week, tornadoes.

This from the Associated Press:

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in the Mohawk Valley a day after a twister caused minor damage in several rural western New York communities.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Troopers investigating fatal golf cart accident

A young man from the Saranac Lake area is dead following an accident that occurred earlier this week.

Ray Brook-based state police say 19-year-old Casey McHugh of Lake Clear has succumbed to serious injuries sustained late Wednesday night following an accident in the town of Santa Clara.

Troopers received reports of a serious personal injury accident involving a golf cart and a skateboarder at approximately 10:25 Wednesday.

Local teen in critical condition following accident

A local teenager is listed in critical condition today following a bizarre accident in the town of Santa Clara.

Ray Brook-based state police say 19-year-old Casey McHugh of Lake Clear was riding his skateboard on his back east along Hoel Pond Road when he entered into the intersection of Floodwood Road and was struck by a golf cart.

The driver of the golf cart – 43-year-old Bernard Farley of Saranac Lake – fled before troopers and emergency personnel arrived at the scene.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Earthquake update

The United States Geological Survey has posted the earthquake to its website.

The quake registered 5.5 on the Richter scale. It's centered 31 miles north of Cumberland, which is in eastern Ontario.

Reports have come in from all over the North Country, and people felt it as far south as Schenectady and Albany.

The earth is a movin'

The North Country experienced an earthquake at approximately 1:40 p.m. today.

We here at WNBZ don't have official confirmation from anyone at the USGS as of yet, but we feel pretty confident that an earthquake happened.

We've heard from folks in Champlain, Plattsburgh, Keene Valley, Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, Vermontville and everywhere in between. All reported the same thing:

The earth was shaking.

Working Families Party endorses Congressman Murphy

The Working Families Party endorsed Democrat Scott Murphy this week ahead of this fall’s election.

Murphy currently represents New York’s 20th Congressional District and will face off with Republican Chris Gibson this November.

Murphy won the seat last year in a special election to replace Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed to New York’s junior senator seat after President Barack Obama selected Hillary Clinton as his secretary of state.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Man sentenced for involvement with Oak Street brawl

A local man arrested last year for his involvement in a brawl on Oak Street in the village of Tupper Lake was sentenced to probation last week in Franklin County Court.

Tupper Lake Village Police arrested 24-year-old Richard A. Jangro last October following a fight that Chief Tom Fee dubbed the “Melee on Oak.”

Numerous local residents were arrested following the incident – the fight also sparked a manhunt for a rape suspect. The fight began the evening of October 3 and continued into the early morning hours of October 4. One person who was not involved in the brawl was injured.

Jangro was originally charged with second-degree felony attempted assault, third-degree misdemeanor assault, and endangering the welfare of a child – in March, he pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted assault and endangering the welfare of child.

Last week, Franklin County Court Judge Penelope Clute sentenced Jangro to five years of probation and one-year conditional discharge.

Tupper Lake man gets four years in prison for rape

A 32-year-old Tupper Lake man was sentenced to four years in state prison last week for the rape of a teenage girl.

Travis K. Borden was taken into custody in May 2009 following accusations he raped his live-in girlfriend’s 15-year-old daughter. He was originally charged with third-degree criminal sexual act, third-degree rape, endangering the welfare of a child, and unlawfully dealing with a child.

Tupper Lake Village Police arrested Borden following a complaint from a family member of the victim.

In April, Borden pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of third-degree criminal sexual act. Last week, Franklin County Court Judge Penelope Clute sentenced him to four years in state prison with 10 years of post-release supervision.

Hoffman gets endorsements from FreedomWorks, Right to Life PACs

Matt Doheny isn’t the only candidate picking up endorsements in the race to unseat North Country Congressman Bill Owens.

This week and last week, public accountant Doug Hoffman picked up a pair of endorsements from two conservative political action committees – FreedomWorks and Right to Life.

In a prepared statement, Hoffman said he was proud to receive support from the FreedomWorks PAC, a group that supports fiscally conservative candidates.

Monday, June 21, 2010

SL named to Outdoor Life’s ‘Best Towns’ list for 2010

The Saranac Lake area is receiving some national attention as a top destination for outdoor sports enthusiasts.

Outdoor Life magazine has released its 2010 list of the 200 best towns in America for hunters and anglers. Saranac Lake has been included on the list each of the past three years.

According to a statement on the magazine’s website, the rankings are based on – quote – “the performance of hundreds of towns in various socioeconomic and outdoors-related categories.”

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Independence Party endorses Murphy for Congress

The Independence Party of New York announced this week it will endorse Scott Murphy ahead of this fall’s 20th Congressional District election.

Murphy faces one challenger this November, retired U.S. Army Colonel Chris Gibson, who is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Frank MacKay is chairman of the Independence Party of New York. He says New York needs a leader with a strong, independent voice.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Famous ship coming to St. Lawrence Seaway

A famous ship used in a bevy of popular Hollywood films makes its way to the St. Lawrence Seaway this week.

The HMS Bounty is heading up the St. Lawrence River to the Great Lakes for the United Tall Ships Challenge; along the way, the ship will stop in Ogdensburg, where it will dock for several days and host tours for the public.

The famed ship has appeared in numerous blockbusters, including: Marlon Brando’s “Mutiny on the Bounty”; Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”; and “Treasure Island.”

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Shots fired at Bloomingdale home; troopers looking for suspect

Someone fired two shots into a bedroom window at a home in the town of St. Armand early Saturday morning.

Ray Brook-based state police received a call at approximately 5:11 a.m. Saturday stating that an unknown person fire two shots into a residence located at 6 Prospect Street in Bloomingdale.

A subsequent investigation confirmed the reports, and troopers learned the suspect was observed leaving the scene wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt and black pants.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Forest rangers, SARNAK conduct successful search and rescue

Forest rangers and emergency personnel rescued a 50-year-old man who went missing after becoming separated from his hiking group over the weekend.

According to officials from the state Department of Environmental Conservation Region 5 headquarters in Ray Brook, dispatch received a call at approximately 7:45 p.m. Saturday about a missing hiker in the High Peaks Wilderness.

The caller stated that several hikers were descending Ampersand Mountain in the town of Harrietstown when they noticed Phil Torey of North Rose, New York was not with group.

DEC: Saranac River's lower lock closed Wednesday

The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced this week it will close the Saranac River’s lower lock on Wednesday.

DEC Region 5 spokesman David Winchell told WNBZ the lock between Second Pond and Oseetah Lake will close so crews can conduct needed work.

Wincell says workers will undertake minor repairs and routine maintenance. He adds the lock will reopen no later than Thursday morning.

Friday, June 4, 2010

School bus carrying 35 children goes off road near Piercefield

A bus full of students on a field trip to Tupper Lake went off the road Friday morning.

Canton Central School District Superintendent William Gregory said the bus was heading to the Wild Center for a class field trip. The accident occurred in the Piercefield area, near the intersection of state Routes 3 and 56.

Gregory says a tire caught the side of the road causing the bus to go off the road and through a ravine. The bus came to rest perched up on a berm.

More GOP support for Doheny; Hoffman not worried

The Hamilton County Republican Committee voted Thursday to endorse Watertown businessman Matt Doheny ahead of this fall’s election in New York’s 23rd Congressional District.

Doheny has now locked up nine county GOP nominations in the 11-county district. Two county committees, Lewis and Franklin, have opted not to endorse a candidate.

That gives Doheny a clear advantage over North Country accountant Doug Hoffman, who he’ll face in a September primary. Both candidates are angling for Republican support in their bids to unseat Democratic Congressman Bill Owens.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Blakeman, Valpass will faceoff in September primary

Democratic U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will have to wait until September to find out who her challenger will be in November.

This from the Associated Press:

NEW YORK (AP) - Republican Senate candidates Bruce Blakeman and David Malpass have earned enough support to run in a September primary in New York.

Republicans meeting in Manhattan are choosing potential challengers to take on Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (KEHR'-sten JIL'-uh-brand).