Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Police Chief: No right-hand lane on Bloomingdale Avenue

If you’re driving along Bloomingdale Avenue, make sure to stay out of the right-hand bike lane.

In an effort to clear up confusion surrounding the intersection of Bloomingdale Avenue and Church Street, WNBZ reached out to Saranac Lake Village Police Chief Bruce Nason Tuesday afternoon.

Nason says motorists who believe there are two lanes are simply wrong.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

WNBZ is 'kinda' involved in this -- Doheny nails Hoffman for no debates in western region

The Matt Doheny campaign hammered Doug Hoffman Thursday for allegedly ducking requests to debate Doheny in the western portion of the district. Hoffman, who now lives in Saranac Lake, has agreed to two debates, one in Plattsburgh and another in Saranac Lake. Doheny resides in Watertown.

I have yet to call the Hoffman camp about this...

And the release -- a really fun one, too:

Statement from Alison Power, spokesperson, Doheny for Congress Campaign:

“On Monday August 24, the Young Republican clubs of Lewis and Jefferson Counties invited Matt Doheny and Doug Hoffman to participate in a debate on August 31, at the Italian American Club in Watertown. We accepted. Doug Hoffman, through his campaign manager Patrick Gerhart, declined the invitation: ‘Unfortunately, Doug will not be able to make that date do (sic) to a previous commitment.‘

The clubs offered to change the date and/or the time and were told on Monday that the Hoffman campaign would “look into it.” It is our understanding that the Young Republicans have not to date heard anything more from the Hoffman camp.

Doheny gains more GOP support

Matt Doheny -- GOP Congressional challenger to Bill Owens -- got even more institutional backing this week. Doheny is currently spending as much time battling Conservative Doug Hoffman for the November GOP line as he is dealing with the incumbent.

Here's the release:

Watertown, NY – Three leaders in the national political arena – former Congressmen Bill Paxon, Tom Reynolds and Tom Davis – have endorsed the candidacy of Matt Doheny, Watertown, in the 23rd Congressional District of New York State.

“Matt is the kind of political newcomer we need in Washington today,” former Rep. Paxon (R-Buffalo,NY) said. “He’s a fiscal conservative who can apply both business and common sense to our nation’s current economic crisis. Matt can win the 23rd back for Republicans, and become a key vote against the failed policies of Obama and Pelosi.”

Longtime Democratic strategist backing Gibson

Here's a release from Chris Gibson's Congressional campaign.

Gibson -- a Republican -- is challenging incumbent Democrat Scott Murphy's reelection bid:

Kinderhook, NY – The Chris Gibson for Congress campaign announced the formation of Democrats for Gibson, a district-wide organization of members of the Democratic Party who support Chris Gibson as the next Congressman of New York’s 20th Congressional District.

“We are proud that people from all political persuasions are supporting our campaign,” said Chris Gibson. “We have reached out to those looking for a better way forward regardless of party affiliation and welcome the support of Democrats, Independents, Conservatives, Republicans, Tea Party and other new voters. Growing up here and in a union household, most of my family were Democrats. I am glad to have the support of this distinguished group of long time Democrats who believe that the way forward must include reducing spending, borrowing and taxing. Our children do not deserve to inherit the unsustainable debt that we have amassed and I will reach across party lines and work with everyone to change course.”

SL man enters guilty plea in drug case

A 22-year-old Saranac Lake man pleaded guilty to a bevy of drug charges in Franklin County Court this week.

James T. Lacey was arrested in April after police observed him conducting a narcotics transaction. He was originally charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, fourth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a prescription not in its original container.

At the time, Saranac Lake Village Police said Lacey was seen selling – quote – “10 narcotic preparation pills” to another individual.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Police find body of missing Lake Clear woman

Law enforcement officials located the body of a missing Lake Clear woman early Wednesday afternoon.

The discovery of 37-year-old Carrie Bailey’s body ends a two-day search that launched Monday after family members reported her missing.

Troopers Jim Butzer and Raymond Caldwell found Bailey’s body in the driver’s seat of her 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser at a camp down off Hull Road in Rainbow Lake in the town of Brighton.

Schumer to visit Adirondack Museum, talk tourism

New York’s senior U.S. Senator Charles Schumer will visit Blue Mountain Lake tomorrow.

The Democrat, who’s running for re-election this fall, will speak at the Adirondack Museum at 2:45 p.m. Friday.

According to a release issued by museum officials, Schumer will discuss the Travel Regional Investment Partnership Act – known as the TRIP bill. The legislation aims to support and grow tourism and is being co-sponsored by Schumer.

Police searching for missing Lake Clear woman


The search is on for a woman who went missing over the weekend in Franklin County.

Ray Brook-based state police say 37-year-old Carrie L. Bailey of Lake Clear was last seen Saturday, Aug. 21 shortly after midnight at a friend’s camp in the town of Brighton, near Rainbow Lake.

Bailey is a white female, approximately 5’9’’ tall and weighing about 115 pounds. She was last seen wearing blue “Capri” style jeans, a white tank top, a brown long-sleeve sweatshirt and sandals.

NCCC ranked among America’s best community colleges

The good news continues to roll in for two local colleges.

Last week, Paul Smith’s College announced that it’s anticipating one of its largest classes in three decades. This week, officials at North Country Community College say the school has been included on a list of America’s 50 Best Community Colleges.

Washington Monthly magazine has NCCC ranked 22nd on its list for 2010. The rankings surveyed 650 community colleges across the nation, and NCCC received the highest ranking of any community college in New York.

The list is compiled using benchmarking data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement and four-year federal graduation rates.

Ranking categories include learning, student effort, academic challenge, student-faculty interaction, support for learning, and four-year graduation ranks.

NCCC consistently ranked over 50 percent in every category.

“The schools on the list stand out in teaching and helping students earn degrees,” the Washington Monthly states. “When it comes to quality of instruction they outperform not only their two-year peers but also many elite four-year research universities.”

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

UNYTEA anticipates large crowd for primary debate

The first of two debates between Republican Congressional hopefuls Matt Doheny and Doug Hoffman is expected to draw a substantial crowd.

The debate is being hosted by the Upstate New York Tea Party and is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 at the West Side Ballroom on New York Road at the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.

Monday, August 23, 2010

State police investigating burglaries in Schroon Lake

Law enforcement officials are seeking the public’s help in solving a string of burglaries in Essex County.

State police say at least five businesses located on Main Street in the town of Schroon Lake have reported overnight break-ins in recent weeks. A statement issued Monday states that the incident occurred between August 20 and August 2.

The Morning Star Bistro, Crunch Time Bakery and Deli, Flannigan’s Pub, Timberwolf Pub and Pitkin’s Restaurant all reported money stolen.

Anyone with information pertaining to these crimes should contact Investigator Mashall Rocque at 873-2771.

Friday, August 20, 2010

UNYTEA reaches 1,000 members

Here's a release issued last week by Mark Barie, chairman of the Upstate New York Tea Party (UNYTEA):

The Upstate New York Tea (UNYTEA) party has reached its goal of one thousand members.

According to UNYTEA party Chairman, Mark L Barie, the grassroots organization surpassed its goal of one thousand members by September 1st, just this week. At an organizational meeting in Port Henry on Thursday an additional sixteen members were signed up.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Malone teen in critical condition after falling asleep at the wheel

A young man from Franklin County is in critical condition today after apparently falling asleep at the wheel.

Malone-based state police say 19-year-old Jonathon Foster of Malone was driving his pickup truck along state Route 30 at approximately 6 p.m. in the town of Duane when he exited the roadway and crashed.

Troopers and emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene and found Foster trapped inside the truck. Police say he was barely conscious.

He was extricated from the vehicle and airlifted to the Fletcher Allen Healthcare Center in Burlington, Vermont, where he was listed in critical condition as of Wednesday morning.

Troopers say Foster sustained multiple serious injuries in the crash. It’s believed that he fell asleep behind the wheel and was traveling alone.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Gubernatorial election could be over before it starts

More from Jon:

Poll data released by the Siena College Research Institute Wednesday indicates the race for governor could be over before it even starts.

The poll also shows that the Republican U.S. Senate candidates are facing a significant public relations problem – no one knows who they are.

The survey of 788 registered New York voters found that 61 percent of total respondents hold a favorable opinion of Democratic gubernatorial candidate and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Of that, 38 percent of Republicans polled hold Cuomo in high regard. Only 32 percent think favorably of GOP standard-bearer Rick Lazio, with Republicans polling at only 47 percent.

Gay Republicans back Sayward, Duprey

Here's a piece penned by my colleague Jon Alexander:

Republican Assemblywomen Teresa Sayward and Janet Duprey received the endorsement last week of the state Log Cabin Republicans – a GOP political action committee focused on equal rights for homosexuals.

Sayward and Duprey are two of only three Republican state lawmakers currently seeking reelection to receive the organization’s backing, according to its state Chairman Greg Angelo.