Latest news with #WatertownDailyTimes
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Collins, former NY-21 Democratic candidate, won't run again
Jul. 15—Paula Collins, the Democrat who ran to unseat U.S. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik last year, will not be running again. Collins filed documents to terminate her campaign in May, although the process is not entirely done yet. In a statement shared with the Watertown Daily Times, Collins, a cannabis law attorney with roots in New York City, said she has stepped back from the campaign to support the party's efforts to elect a Democrat now that it seems likely Stefanik won't seek reelection to the seat. "In light of the personal challenges to members of the legal profession, as well as in support of the party's efforts to launch a viable candidate for NY-21, it makes sense to suspend my campaign at this time. I wish all Democratic candidates in NY-21 strength and resilience for the upcoming midterm elections," she said via text. Collins ran unopposed for the Democratic Party's nomination against Stefanik in 2024, launching a campaign centered on rebuilding a languishing Democratic opposition in NY-21. She leaned on her New York City connections where the party was stronger to try and boost her campaign, but in the general election carried just 38% of the vote to Stefanik's 62%. During her campaign, Collins said she would run again in 2026, and when it appeared that Stefanik would vacate her seat to join President Donald J. Trump's cabinet, Collins sought support in the anticipated special election to replace her. Ultimately, local Democratic Party leaders coalesced around Blake Gendebien, a dairy farmer from St. Lawrence County, to be their candidate in that race, and the party support for Gendebien has carried forward. Collins filed in May not to suspend, but to terminate her campaign. At the time, her campaign finance report showed she had just about $94,600 in cash on hand, and owed about $41,700 to Blue Wave Political Partners, a campaign consulting firm from Seattle. Last month, the Federal Election Commission requested additional information to terminate the campaign; they ruled the campaign hasn't proven it is eligible to close because it hasn't shown it is done taking contributions, hasn't settled all debts, and must share a statement explaining a plan to dispose of residual campaign funds. Those documents are due July 22.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lowville Kraft plant loses $22 million as feds cut billions in decarbonization funding
May 30—The federal government has canceled billions of dollars in funding for clean energy and decarbonization projects across the nation, including for a multi-million project to transition the Kraft-Heinz plant in Lowville off of fossil fuels. The Watertown Daily Times reported in late April that the Department of Energy under President Donald J. Trump was working on plans to cut green energy investments made by the previous administration, based on leaked documents from inside the department. On Friday, the federal government made it official and withdrew $3.7 billion in funding for 24 projects spanning the nation, including the $170 million set aside for the Kraft-Heinz company to decarbonize 10 production facilities. The company planned to use $22 million to decarbonize its Lowville operation, removing natural gas-fired equipment and replacing it with electric equipment fed from the grid. The money was awarded in November, meaning the company has only had access to the funding stream for about six months. Of the 24 projects listed, only one other New York-based project had its funding pulled, a $15 million grant for Skyven Technologies in Medina, Orleans County. That project was meant to help decarbonize an ethanol production facility in the western New York village. The Kraft project was pitched as a major development for the Lowville manufacturing plant, by bringing the facility up to next-gen specifications and creating more capacity. The Kraft-Heinz company's North America president said when the money was announced last year that the project would create new local jobs, improve workforce training and protect the resources of the communities they operate in. The plan, relying on $170.9 million in federal grants and $177.8 million in Kraft-Heinz's own money, aimed to reduce CO2 emissions across the company's U.S. presence by 99% from 2022 levels, with a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. A spokesperson for Kraft shared this statement Friday night. "We are aware of the unilateral decision made by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. While we will continue to evaluate this decision, it does not change our intention to continue investing in our 30 U.S. manufacturing facilities. Over the next approximately five years, we plan to invest $3 billion to modernize our U.S. supply chain infrastructure. We will continue to drive energy efficiency projects forward as we make these investments." Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., demanded that Energy Department officials reconsider cutting the Kraft-Heinz grant money. In a statement on Friday, the Schumer blasted the move to cut the grant money. "Taking away this investment is an unjust blow to Lewis County's biggest employer," he said. "It is a slap in the face by the Trump administration to the north country to eliminate funding that is critical to the success of this major employer. I urge Congresswoman Stefanik to join me in denouncing the Trump administration's callous cancellation of this grant, knowing that this action directly hurts local jobs, undercuts the success of one of the north country's most beloved employers, and undermines upgrades meant to help a factory that so many of our upstate dairy farmers rely on." A spokesperson for Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, did not return a request for comment sent Friday.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ogdensburg honors its fallen veterans at Memorial Day observance
May 26—OGDENSBURG — At Monday's Memorial Day observance, Ogdensburg VFW Post 2936 Commander Scott A. Compo told those in attendance at Ogdensburgh Cemetery that the national holiday is a solemn reminder that freedom is never free. "It has been paid for with the lives of our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters, our comrades and our friends," he stated. "Today, across America, communities like ours are gathering — not just to mourn those we've lost, but to celebrate the values they fought for courage, duty, honor, and sacrifice." Each name on a gravemarker tells a story, according to the commander, a "story of someone who believed in something greater than themselves. And while we may never fully understand the depth of their sacrifice, we can strive to live lives worthy of their gift." Compo added that on Memorial Day, families of those lost are also honored. "Today we also honor the families of those lost, for you bear a burden that only you can comprehend. We are grateful for the support you gave your soldier, so they could carry out the mission of protecting the rest of us," said Compo. "It is our responsibility as citizens to remember the nation's brave fallen men and women — whether they died on foreign lands in the heat of battle or after a lifetime in the uniform of our Army. Never forget the men and women who know all too much the cost of our freedom, for their service to this country is the greatest gift of all. Let us also not forget these families who have borne the heavy burden of loss. Their courage and strength reflect the enduring spirit of this nation. " Compo said it's the mission of the members of the VFW to ensure that the legacy of the fall is never forgotten. "Whether through ceremonies like this one, or through everyday acts of service, we carry their memory forward. So today, let us recommit ourselves to being guardians of their sacrifice. Let us teach our children what this day truly means. And let us live lives that reflect the best of what our fallen heroes stood for," concluded Compo. Wreaths were laid at the veterans monument at Ogdensburgh Cemetery by City Council, VFW Post 2936 and its auxiliary, American Legion Post 69, U.S. Veterans Motorcycle Club and the Ogdensburg Elks Club. Ogdensburg Councilors Daniel Skamperle and Jennifer Stevenson place a wreath at the veterans monument at Ogdensburgh Cemetery on Monday at the annual Memorial Day observance. Matt Curatolo/ Watertown Daily Times Outgoing VFW 2936 Auxiliary President Linda Compo and Incoming President Amanda Miller are pictured carrying a wreath to be set up before the veterans monument Monday. Matt Curatolo/Watertown Daily Times The Ogdensburg Free Academy Marching Band is pictured performing prior to Monday's Memorial Day ceremony at Ogdensburgh Cemetery. Matt Curatolo/ Watertown Daily Times
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
4-time regional champ: General Brown seventh grader again headed to Scripps National Spelling Bee
Mar. 7—BROWNVILLE — Inside General Brown Junior-Senior High School on Thursday night, 18 of the top spellers from tri-county school districts took the stage to flex their spelling abilities. The annual Scripps Regional Spelling Bee concluded with a fourth-consecutive win for seventh grader Micah R. Sterling. The General Brown Central School student finished in first place after correctly spelling "gingivitis." "Most of (the words) I knew, but some of them caught my eye," Micah said after the bee. Micah started studying hard in January, his father Sean said. Micah will be heading to Washington, D.C., to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in May, the 100th year of the competition. Micah finished 22nd, out of 245 contestants from across the country, at last year's national competition. He moved up considerably after finishing 74th in 2023 and 89th in 2022. Micah said that his goal for this year is to finish better than 22nd. "It's a whole different ball game down there," Micah's dad, Sean Sterling, said. "It's a real spectacle and this year's the 100th year so it should be fun." Micah's mom Crystal said she is proud of her son. "He's taken on more of his own studying this year," she said. "We've kind of taken him by the hand all around through but this year he's done a lot more on his own and he's just showing more initiative and doing the work." Micah will receive a one-year subscription to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Online dictionary; the Samuel Louis Sugarman Award, 2025 United States Mint Proof Set courtesy of Jay Sugarman; a one-year subscription to Britannica Online Premium courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica; digital access to the Watertown Daily Times for the rest of the school year; and a $50 gift card to Jreck Subs for finishing in first place. In second place was Johann Enriquez, of Carthage Central School, who won a Watertown Daily Times digital subscription for the remainder of the school year, and a $25 Jreck Subs gift card. Finishing in third place was Catherine Wilay, also from Carthage Central. She brings home digital access to the Watertown Daily Times and a $10 Jreck Subs gift card. The other students competing Thursday night included Jonah E. Aucter, of Beaver River Central School; Liam P. Goldie, of Clifton-Fine Central School; Lucas Valley, of Belleville-Henderson Central School; Felix P. Castro, of General Brown Central School; and Alexis L. Mandap, of Indian River Central School. Also competing were Sawyer N. Robirds, of Indian River Central School; Owen M. Pitrik of LaFargeville Central School; Adele D. Andrews of Lowville Academy and Central School; Claire Phillips of Sackets Harbor Central; Julia H. M. Janz, of South Jefferson Central School; River C. Rolando, of South Jefferson Central School; James H. McDonough, of Thousand Islands Central School; Rielley P. Schoen, of the Town of Webb Union Free School District; Lucas J. LorJuste, of Watertown City School District; and Sophia Goebert, of Watertown CIty School District. The bee is sponsored by the Watertown Daily Times and Jreck Subs in coordination with the Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services. The bee had 18 contestants from 14 school systems in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Students from fifth grade through eighth grade were among those competing. For those looking to compete next year, they better bring their "A" game. Micah said he hopes to be back in the competition.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
Striking COs fired as state looks to end nearly two-week-long strikes
Mar. 2—Corrections officers who have been on strike since mid-February were terminated en-masse Sunday, the latest step in a weeks-long back and forth between state officials and the staff they rely on to maintain order in the 44 state prisons across New York. COs reached by the Watertown Daily Times on Sunday confirmed that those who were still on strike, demanding action to make state prisons safer and higher pay among other issues, received telephone calls or voicemails indicating their employment with the state Department of Corrections was finished. It's not clear how many COs in total were terminated — DOCCS officials did not immediately return a request for comment sent Sunday afternoon. COs striking Sunday said all their colleagues actively employed by the department who were on strike received the termination call in the morning, from regional prison leadership. But in a social media posting earlier in the day, DOCCS Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello, III, warned striking COs that they needed to return to work by Monday or their health insurance would be revoked retroactively to the first day they'd walked off the job, and no COBRA coverage would be available to bridge the insurance gap. "My message to you is this is the final push," he wrote in a statement shared via X, formerly Twitter. "Tomorrow, Monday March 3, anyone who remains on strike will have their's and their dependent's healthcare removed retroactive to the first day they were AWOL, and you will not be eligible for COBRA. I want you to come back to work today. If you missed your shift, you should still report and know that we will continue to have open dialogue on making facilities safer places to work." Its not clear how the terminations and the insurance deadline will be combined — officers on strike Sunday said they did not have an idea of how the insurance penalties would be implemented. The terminations on Sunday and insurance revocation Monday are the zenith of the state's actions against striking COs. The first walk-outs in the wildcat strike, unsanctioned by the CO union, started Feb. 17, when COs at two prisons in southwestern New York walked out of their jobs — the strike spread to nearly all facilities by Feb 19. COs have demanded pay raises, improvements in their pension plans, and safety regulation changes including mandated body scans for visitors and secure vendor programs for mail and packages sent to inmates. They've also demanded wholesale changes to the HALT Act, which restricts the use of solitary confinement and requires hours of rehabilitative programming for inmates each day. Union representatives and state prisons officials met with a mediator through last week, negotiating on the demands — but because the CO strike is unsanctioned, the union has no power to unilaterally end the strike. Negotiations ended Thursday with a deal that made progress on some of the demands — but did not include requirements to body scan all visitors or get a secure vendor for packages delivered to facilities. Additionally, the plan included some limited changes to HALT within the framework the law already permits — the DOCCS commissioner has the power to pause the programming-related requirements in HALT, which officials pledged to do for a 90 day review period. The deal also outlined a safety committee and a commitment to pausing HALT programming on days when facilities are too understaffed to safely run the programs. It gave striking COs a deadline to return to work as well — Saturday, March 1. Those who didn't return would be terminated or hit with civil penalties. While on strike, the COs have been threatened with penalties under the state's Taylor Law, which restricts public employees right to stop work. Officials have threatened fines of double a day's wage for missed shifts, termination and legal action including potential arrests. In the face of all that, they've continued their demonstrations at facilities statewide. It's not clear if those COs who were terminated Sunday would continue to demonstrate — some of those who spoke with the Times on Sunday said they would continue to demonstrate. "We need to be heard, and things need to change inside these walls, even if I'm not in there anymore," one CO fired from Upstate Correctional Facility said. He requested anonymity to avoid potential legal repercussions, and said he was hoping he could restore his job at some point in the future. Sunday's firings come at a difficult time for the state prisons — facilities have been running on low staffing models for months, and a recently issued and then repealed memo from Martuscello asked facilities to start working on a new staffing model that built-in a 30% force reduction from optimal operations. With at least several hundred COs now laid off from most facilities statewide, staffing plans will continue to rely on lower-than-normal headcounts. DOCCS officials are relying on 6,500 New York Army National Guard troops to maintain order in state prisons, and some officials have predicted they will continue to work in the prisons for six months to a year at least.
