CANTON — New York State Senator Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, has endorsed Republican candidate Gary Pasqua for St. Lawrence County District Attorney.

“St. Lawrence County needs a career prosecutor like Gary Pasqua who will bring a strong work ethic and our North Country values to the criminal justice system,” Mrs. Ritchie said in a press release. “I am proud to stand with someone like Gary who will focus on restoring public confidence and bringing justice to victims and their families.”

“I want to thank Senator Ritchie for her support. As District Attorney, I will fight for the hardworking families of St. Lawrence County,” Mr. Pasqua said.

Mr. Pasqua is running on the Republican and Conservative line.

LOWVILLE — Due to a large fuel oil spill on Davenport Place, the North State Street loop for Lowville Academy and Central School is closed to traffic to allow the Lowville Fire department to conduct cleanup, according to district superintendent Cheryl L. Steckley.

Parents who pick up students after school will need to wait until 3:20 p.m. and use the Trinity Avenue driveway to pick up their children, said Mrs. Steckley. Students who ride the bus or walk home will all be dismissed at regular time. Students who will be picked up by parents will be held until 3:20 p.m. when they will be released to the Trinity Avenue loop after the buses leave the driveway.

Warning of a “weakening Democratic brand,” pollsters working for a progressive nonprofit are encouraging the minority party to run on a clear, populist platform in 2018 - or risk an election where voters don’t see them as alternatives to the Trump administration.

“Trump is hated, but he is not collapsing and is stable on many parts of his identity and job performance,” pollsters Stan Greenberg and Nancy Zdunkewicz wrote in a polling memo prepared for Women’s Voices Women Vote Action Fund, a 501(c)3. “Democrats must make the main choice in this election about how the Republicans in Congress have gone back on their promises on health care and protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.”

The poll results, which were provided to the Washington Post on Wednesday night, revisit a pool of voters from the “rising American electorate” - young, diverse, and less prone to voting - that was first studied in June. Since the summer, despite President Donald Trump’s struggles, those voters told the pollsters that they’d become a bit less inclined to vote for Democrats in 2018. A 31-point Democratic margin shrunk to a 21-point margin.

The problem, according to Greenberg and Zdunkewicz, was a president who blotted out the sun. “It shows a weakening of the Democratic brand, as events and Trump following Bannon’s advice leaves Democrats invisible on the economy and jobs,” they write. “Because voters do not hear Democrats expressing dissatisfaction with the status quo on economics or the balance of power when so many are concerned about the direction of this country, only 4-in-10 . . . voters say Democrats ‘know what it’s like to live a day in my shoes’ and are ‘for the right kind of change.’”

According to the pollsters, the solution is staring Democrats in their faces. The voters who trust neither party need to be convinced that one party, the Trump-led Republicans, had already betrayed them. One of the best-testing messages mirrored what Democrats had said for years: “trickle-down has failed and the richest need to pay their fair share of taxes.” They had just not said so effectively about Trump and Republicans in Congress.

“It is time to recognize that these voters will not be motivated unless they hear a message from the Democrat who says he or she is ‘fed up’ and ‘the economy and politics are rigged against the hard-working middle class,’” the pollsters advise. “The message deplores that ‘corporate lobbyists and billionaires spend unlimited money to get their way,’ which is more ‘trickle down’ while ‘people who play by the rules are crushed by the cost of health care, child care, housing and student debt.’ While it ends by proposing a range of changes ‘so American grows the middle class again,’ it is otherwise mostly negative and dramatic.”

Six Miami firefighters - including the son of a former fire chief - have been cut loose from the department after hanging a noose over photos belonging to a black colleague.

An internal investigation was triggered by an incident on Sept. 9, the Miami Herald reported. Police were initially called to a station house on a report of vandalism. The case, however, was handed over to the department’s internal affairs division. Investigators spent six weeks investigating 12 firefighters, eventually determining the men were responsible for “sexually explicit and racially offensive conduct” and should be terminated, according to a statement from Miami City Manager Daniel Alfonso. It’s not clear whether or how the other six will be disciplined.

The firings are significant in that they play into a larger history of racist behavior in the department stretching back decades.

The Herald reported Wednesday the six firefighters - William W. Bryson, Kevin Meizoso, David Rivera, Justin Rumbaugh, Harold Santana, and Alejandro Sese - together defaced the family photos belonging to a black lieutenant, taking the pictures of his wife, children and his mother out of their picture frames and drew “graphic and obscene phallic renderings” on the images, before returning them to their frames.

One of the firefighters also created a noose from twine and placed it over the frames, the paper reported.

Bryson allegedly failed to stop the racist stunt and ignored requests to report the incident to department higher-ups. His father, William “Shorty” Bryson served as the fire chief for both the Miami and Miami-Dade departments.

The elder Bryson was also caught up in his own scandal involving race. In 1992, William Bryson was the head of the city’s fire union when he booted 62 black firemen from the organization. The black firefighters had vocally complained about race barring their promotions within the department. The Miami New Times reported in 2011 that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found Bryson’s actions discriminatory, and ordered the union to restore the black members and compensate them for unpaid benefits.

The younger Bryson and the other five firefighters terminated after the noose incident can appeal their terminations under the city’s civil service procedure. Other employees could also be terminated. The city is holding a news conference on Friday to address the scandal.

Fred Delgado, the president of the Miami International Association of Firefighters, told NBC 6 the union has “not yet been provided with all the information that the city relied upon in making the decisions it did today.”

He added: “We are very disturbed by the allegations and look forward to the opportunity to review all the facts.”

Arranged marriages are a standard practice in Pakistan, and there’s no shortage of stories about the extreme steps some Pakistani women will take to escape them and marry the men they choose.

But few go as far as Aasia Bibi is alleged to have gone. According to Pakistani authorities, the 21-year-old woman tried to slip poison into her new husband’s milk and inadvertently killed 17 of his family members in the process.

Bibi, who is charged with murder, appeared in court Tuesday in the northeastern city of Muzaffargarh, where she told reporters that her parents had forced her in September to marry a relative, the Associated Press and ITV reported. Her family lives in nearby Ali Pur, a small village in eastern Pakistan.

“I repeatedly asked my parents not to marry me against my will as my religion, Islam, also allows me to choose the man of my choice for marriage, but my parents rejected all of my pleas,” the AP quoted Bibi as saying. She told them she was willing to do anything to get out of the marriage, she added, but they refused to permit a divorce, according to ITV.

Desperate to get out of the arrangement, Bibi went to her boyfriend, Shahid Lashari, who gave her a “poisonous substance,” local police chief Sohail Habib Tajak told the AP.

Last week, Tajak said, Bibi mixed the poison in milk and gave it to her husband, but he refused to drink it.

At some point after - and it’s not exactly clear how - Bibi’s mother-in-law used the tainted milk to make lassi, a yogurt-based drink popular in South Asia. When she served it to 27 members of her extended family, all of them lost consciousness and were hospitalized.

Bibi and Lashari were arrested on murder charges shortly after. Neither had lawyers, the AP reported.

Seventeen of the family members have reportedly died over the past several days, including one young girl, and the other 10 are still in the hospital.

On Monday, Bibi denied the allegations against her, saying Lashari told her to poison the milk but she refused.

But in Tuesday’s court hearing, Bibi told reporters that she had in fact targeted her husband and regretted that others had died, according to the AP. Her boyfriend, she said, “asked me to mix it in something” and give it to the husband. he “said he will marry me,” she told a judge, according to ITV.

Tajak said he spent two weeks questioning Bibi and Lashari trying to find out who was responsible. Lashari had confessed to giving the young woman the poison, he said.

“Our officers have made progress by arresting a woman and her lover in connection with this murder case, which was complicated and challenging for us,” Tajak told the AP.

STILLWATER — Queensbury defeated Watertown High School, 2-1, in a first-round state Class A boys soccer game Thursday at Stillwater Central School.

The undefeated Spartans (20-0), who are ranked No. 1 in the state, received a goal from Matt Ricciardelli with 31 seconds remaining in the first half to break a scoreless tie.

Teddy Borgos scored three minutes into the second half to put Watertown (16-2-2) in a 2-0 hole. Alex Roca assisted on both goals.

Jake Cavellier scored a second-half goal for the Cyclones, who won their first sectional championship since 1965.

Caleb Kolb finished with 11 saves.

Queensbury will play Section 10’s Malone on Saturday in Colonie.

LOWVILLE — Voters from two Lewis County villages and one town will need to select some officials through write-in votes due to a dearth of candidates who filed nominating petitions.

The lone candidate who did file for Port Leyden trustee is also facing a felony grand larceny charge.

Long-time Port Leyden trustee Janice Belmont, a Democrat, was the only candidate to file a nominating petition this summer for two open board seats, so at least one post will be determined by write-ins.

Mrs. Belmont, 72, and her husband, Anthony, were recently arraigned in Lewis County Court on an unsealed indictment on charges of third-degree grand larceny and pleaded not guilty. They were accused of, between January 2010 and September 2013, stealing more than $3,000 of property from Julie Belmont.

The trustee said she couldn’t comment at this time due to advice from her attorney.

Attorneys in the case — special prosecutor Steven D. Cole, assistant district attorney from Jefferson County; William J. Riley ,representing Mrs. Belmont; and Michael F. Young, representing Mr. Belmont — last week held conferences, and a pre-trial conference is set for Nov. 30.

Croghan village voters will also need to pick trustee candidates through write-ins, since independent candidate Linda Nortz will be the lone person on the ballot for one of two full board seats. An additional seat to fill a vacancy on the board will also be determined through write-ins.

And, in the town of Harrisburg, independent candidate Dale J. Bowen will be the lone person on the ballot for two town council seats.

ALEXANDRIA BAY — A full slate of candidates are running for positions in the town of Alexandria and the village of Alexandria Bay.

In the supervisor race, Republican Councilman Brent H. Sweet is running against Daniel B. Peterson, who is listed as a Democrat after losing to Mr. Sweet in the Republican primary in September.

Mr. Sweet said he wanted to tackle multiple projects in the town, including replacing the Bailey Settlement Road bridge, upgrading the village arena and developing water and sewer projects on Route 12.

“I think I’m in a good position to do that work,” he said. “I’ve been on the town board for five and a half years, and I’m familiar with the processes and the finances and working with engineers on these issues.”

Mr. Peterson said he wanted to improve the working environment for town workers, describing a sense of “animosity and bitterness” among town workers and town officials.

“The most important thing is getting people to work together again,” he said.

Mr. Peterson has spent several months seeking clarification to what he sees as discrepancies in the town’s finances, particularly the Redwood Sewer District.

The state Comptroller’s )ffice is performing an audit of the sewer district. Brian Butry, deputy press secretary for the office, said it is expected to be completed in early 2018.

The winner will replace Dale D. Hunneyman, the longtime councilman who was first elected supervisor in 2011.

The race for two town council seats includes Republicans John D. Stine and James E. VanCour and Democrats Martha Millett and Dustin Truesdell.

Lillian A. Dingman is running for town justice against David M. Cortright.

Jessica Hudon is running unopposed to be town clerk, and Edward M. Tibbles is unopposed in the race for highway superintendent.

Two candidates are seeking to become village mayor, after Danielle L. Miller resigned in June due to personal health issues. Former trustee Cynthia M. Penn has served as interim mayor since that point.

Current village trustee Nicholas R. Speach, a Republican, will run for the position against Democrat Steven E. Jarvis and Rock Island Lighthouse Party candidate Mark H. Reynolds.

The race for two village trustee spots includes incumbent Julia A. Erck, Republican and Conservative, Stephen “Bubba” Derrigo, Democrat, Geoffrey A. Hillick, Democrat and Republican.

The village justice race will pit Lillian Dingman against Richard L. Drake.

Town of Wilna resident Rachael Vary is running against Jefferson County Legislator Daniel R. McBride for the District 6 seat, which he has held since being appointed in June 2015.

Ms. Vary, 27, said she was approached by members of the Democratic Party in the village of Carthage and town of Wilna who urged her to run for the seat.

If elected, Ms. Vary said she would like to see more progress on mental health care access in the county, particularly as it pertains to the ongoing opioid epidemic.

“It plays a role in getting people the help they need to fight addiction,” she said.

She also supports the Legislature’s recent efforts to block wind projects that could hinder radar systems on Fort Drum. Officials there have said that large wind farms built near post hinder radar visibility.

The Legislature recently passed a resolution supporting any efforts from the state or federal government that would prevent wind turbines from being built within a 40-mile radius of the post.

Mr. McBride, who voted in favor of the resolution, could not be reached for comment.

On single-stream recycling, which has been an ongoing topic of discussion among Board members, Ms. Vary said she does not know enough about the subject to have an opinion.

The board has mulled over how it could implement a single-stream recycling system that would eliminate its current dual-stream system. A report on potential options is slated to be released later this month.

Ms. Vary works as a medical biller at Carthage Area Hospital and has no prior political experience. She graduated from Carthage Central School District in 2008 and received an online bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from The New School in New York City.

Another race for county Legislature is happening in District 1 between Clayton Republican Robert W. Cantwell III and Cape Vincent Democrat Hugh “Joe” Hughes.

Currently, District 4 Legislator Allen T. Drake is the only Democrat serving on the Board of Legislators.

WATERTOWN — The city’s firefighters benevolent association spent more than $300,000 over five years on parties, cable television, golf dues and other items through a little-known fund it receives from out-of-state insurance companies.

The Watertown Firefighters Benevolent Association annually receives the 2 percent tax from out-of-state and foreign insurance companies on premiums written for insurance loss on damage caused by fires.

In existence for more than a century, the Foreign Fire Tax program is set by state insurance law and requires the companies to pay the tax. Volunteer and paid fire departments throughout the state receive funds from insurance companies and use them for the same type of purposes, said Peter Rose, vice president of firefighters’ benevolent association.

City Councilman Stephen A. Jennings, who is running for a second term, criticized the benevolent association for spending the money to supplement what he calls “their lifestyles.”

From 2012 through 2016, the firefighters benevolent association spent $317,037 from the insurance program on appliances, furniture, holiday meals, life insurance premiums, fitness equipment, shirts and hats and other items.

“Why are thousands of tax dollars being sent directly to the fire union so they can spend it however they wish?” Jennings said.

The benevolent association also spent $82,538 on parties, $6,719 on holiday meals and $26,675 on cable TV during the five-year period, according to a city report.

While he acknowledged the fund is legal but “wrong,” the councilman said, “It illustrates the culture of the department and defies reality. Who gets to watch television at work?”

Councilman Jennings has been a vocal critic of the fire department during a three-year contract dispute between the city and Watertown Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 191.

The fire department and the contract dispute also has played a big part in the City Council campaign this fall.

Battalion Chief Tucker Wiley was surprised that the councilman is trying to make a political issue of the fund, surmising the candidate “must be desperate.”

But Councilman Jennings countered, “It has nothing to do with desperation. It has to do with transparency and letting people know what their tax dollars are being used for.”

Yet association officials defended the fund, saying it paid for dishes, forks, spoons and pots and pans to equip the fire station’s kitchen, items the city would not pay for.

It also pays for fleece pullover jackets that firefighters wear during the winter, for fall and summer picnics, and retirement dinners, Mr. Rose said.

“It helps with morale,” he said.

Consumers who purchase insurance from out-of-state companies pay the 2 percent tax, so they “are really the ones shouldering the burden” to pay it, Councilman Jennings said.

He proposed that the $317,000 should be put back into the city budget to offset the cost of the $8.7 million fire department.

Councilman Jennings, who is running as a write-in candidate, questioned the oversight of how the money is spent. But the state requires the fund be audited, Mr. Rose said.

When the City Council was briefed on the issue several months ago, Mayor Joseph M. Butler was surprised earlier this week to hear that more than $26,000 was spent on cable TV, calling it “frivolous.” He also wondered how much the benevolent association gives to charity with the money.

“It’s completely legal,” Mayor Butler said, “But it doesn’t make it right.”

The money is donated to people who need it, Mr. Rose said, declining to divulge more information.

“We don’t do it toot our own horns,” he said.

Money is currently donated to a firefighter who suffers from cancer and previously for an ill City Hall employee, he said.

“We take care of our own,” Mr. Rose said.

The mayor pointed out that it’s state law and the city cannot do anything to change it. Councilman Jennings believes the law should be changed,

Councilman Jennings is among five candidates running for two council seats in Tuesday’s election.

THERESA — Three candidates are competing to be Theresa town justice.

Incumbent Edward J. Klepacz, a Republican, is being challenged by Rachel A. Roberts, a Democrat.

Roger Duvall, former town justice, is running a write-in campaign.

In the town supervisor race, Steven Marcinkowski is running unopposed on the ballot.

However, Town Councilwoman Danielle Rajner is running a write-in campaign for the position.

CANTON — State Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, has endorsed Republican candidate Gary Pasqua for St. Lawrence County district attorney.

“St. Lawrence County needs a career prosecutor like Gary Pasqua who will bring a strong work ethic and our north country values to the criminal justice system,” Mrs. Ritchie said in a press release. “I am proud to stand with someone like Gary who will focus on restoring public confidence and bringing justice to victims and their families.”

“I want to thank Senator Ritchie for her support. As district attorney, I will fight for the hardworking families of St. Lawrence County,” Mr. Pasqua said.

Mr. Pasqua is running on the Republican and Conservative line.

MASSENA — Town Supervisor Joseph D. Gray issued a news release Monday questioning the endorsement of councilman Steven D. O’Shau­ghnessy, his Democratic opponent, by Civil Service Employees Association Local 887, which represents over 200 workers at the Massena Memorial Hospital.

The CSEA has organized protests against the privatization of the hospital, which Mr. Gray says is necessary to keep the debt-ridden hospital open.

“Was some kind of deal struck behind the scenes for Steve’s CSEA endorsement?” wrote Mr. Gray in his release. “Voters need to know ... Steve should do the right thing and tell everyone how he will vote on the hospital’s conversion, and what he and (Democratic councilman) Sam Carbone promised the union to get its endorsement.”

Mr. O’Shaughnessy said he was surprised by Mr. Gray’s statement.

“I’m rather surprised my Republican opponent brought this up at this stage of the election,” he said. “For him to bring it up doesn’t show good common sense.”

Mr. O’Shaughnessy referred to an informal agreement between the town board and hospital staff not to discuss the transfer of the hospital except in joint releases. He also mentioned working on the hospital transfer with Mr. Gray when they were councilmen.

“Unless he hasn’t been paying attention ... he knows exactly where I stand,” Mr. O’Shaughnessy said.

In a written statement sent to the Times, Mr. O’Shaughnessy said “I agree with the council’s decision to proceed with private/not-for-profit status, and based on what I know today, I would vote to proceed, however, the final details have not been worked out, and I plan to reserve judgment until the process is complete,” a position he also stated in an interview.

Mr. O’Shaughnessy said he actively sought the endorsement of the CSEA Local 887, but denied he was in any way beholden to them.

“People who belong to labor unions have a lot of common sense and they vote, and I want them to support me,” he said. “I earned their endorsement through trust and honesty.”

There was no deal involved with the endorsement, he said, adding, “My Republican opponent and I must have a different view on (the endorsement) process.”

When asked about the agreement not to discuss the hospital transfer, Mr. Gray said “I’m not doing that, I’m just asking how he would vote.”

Mr. Gray insisted that he does not know how Mr. O’Shaughnessy will vote on the hospital transfer.

“In my opinion, his statement is an equivocation,” Mr. Gray said. When asked what kind of deal he thought Mr. O’Shaughnessy might have struck, Mr. Gray say he did not know.

“I don’t know what could have been possible,” he said. “I have no idea how that transpired, because I was not afforded that opportunity” to be endorsed.

He added, “Unions endorse people when they’re pretty confident of how they will vote.”

Mr. Gray said that, instead of “hiding behind prepared statements and press releases,” he and Mr. O’Shaughnessy should debate this Saturday night at the Town Hall, taking audience questions.

OGDENSBURG — Only one incumbent is among the five candidates who are vying for three seats on the Ogdensburg City Council on Election Day Nov. 7.

Daniel E. Skamperle, running on the Democrat and Conservative lines, is seeking to keep his seat on the council. The other four candidates — two Republicans and two Democrats — are political newcomers.

There have been no political bombshells this election season in Ogdensburg, and little noticeable campaigning by candidates other than the staking of their respective political signs in neighborhoods across the city.

All agree that the city needs to revitalize itself and solve its budget woes through a combination of fiscal conservatism and an increase in economic activity.

Here’s what the candidates have to say about themselves.

n Daniel E. Skamperle:

A resident of Mansion Avenue, Mr. Skamperle is a social studies teacher at Massena High School, and a political action coordinator for the New York State United Teachers Union. He has served on City Council for nearly eight years.

“Since I’ve been on council we’ve seen many changes in Ogdensburg but not enough as far as I’m concerned, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned is that government seems to work at a snail’s pace when it comes to progress and that’s not me — I like steadfast, not wait time.” Mr. Skamperle said.

Mr. Skamperle says some of the accomplishments he’s been part of during his tenure on City Council include the continuing cleanup of contaminated waterfront property.

“Diamond National is ready for infrastructure and development, and hopefully the city gets the grant money this year for the infrastructure which should really help attract a developer,” he said. “Shade roller is close, and development of these properties along with the several properties that have been and are in the process of cleanup is key to our immediate future. The IDA has been and will continue to be a great partner on this and I hope to see marketing and development soon.”

Mr. Skamperle also points to the completed expansion of the Ogdensburg International Airport by the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority as another positive accomplishment that has the potential to attract more development.

Aesthetically, the city has also made improvements, according to Mr. Skamperle.

“The housing programs with Andrea (Smith) at the helm have been doing good things for residents and improving the appearance of our city, and we’ve seen many new businesses open their doors in the marina district and downtown areas,” Mr. Skamperle said. “Expanding our tax base, and keeping the state jobs we have is the key to our future and reducing our taxes, along with operating more efficiently. Rebuilding our boat launches, waterfront and becoming more business-friendly are just some areas we need to continue to address.”

n Shawn R. Shaver:

A resident of New York Avenue, he is a recently retired Ogdensburg City Police Department officer who started his career as a policeman in Tupper Lake and later took a job in Ogdensburg. He is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

“I chose to come back to Ogdensburg as this was always my home and a place I wanted to spend my life,” Mr. Shaver said.

As part of his credentials, Mr. Shaver includes a variety of specialized certifications, including being a scuba diver, a state fire investigator and a previous member of the St. Lawrence County Drug Task Force.

After retiring from the city police department, Mr. Shaver took a job with the St. Lawrence Health Alliance as a support services coordinator.

Mr. Shaver said he is running for office to help improve overall conditions in the city.

“After seeing my community in a rapid decline for many years, and believing that I can make a difference again, like I did as a police officer, I decided to run for city councilor,” he said. “People often put the city of Ogdensburg down in a negative way, when in fact we all should be promoting the city and doing our part to support it, by buying local, and supporting local businesses and becoming active within the community.”

Mr. Shaver believes his experience as a public servant and being an Ogdensburg native gives him unique insight and knowledge regarding how local government works.

“I recognize what needs to change and what the citizens want of their city leaders,” he said. “We don’t want more studies to be done, we want action, and we want to see results.”

He also said that some unpopular decisions may have to be made to revitalize the city and bring long-term growth to the community.

“I am not going to make every single person happy, but I’m going to do what I think is in our best interest,” Mr. Shaver said, “We have a laundry list of things that need to be done, and/or changed, and I’m not going to make any promises to anyone, because I would be only one vote on the council and it takes a majority to get things accomplished. But I am running because I want to be a voice for the people. This is why it’s very important for people to get out and vote and choose wisely. The time for change can start now.”

n Ismene Nina Maravegias:

An emergency room physician, Ms. Maravegias is running on the Republican and Conservative lines, and believes her education can be an asset to residents if she is elected to City Council.

She grew up in Montreal and is the daughter of parents who originally immigrated to Canada from Greece. She lives on Caroline Street.

“I believe I may be able to bring a new perspective to the City Council,” she said. “I am not from here, but I have made it my home for the past 10 years. I believe we can do better. I hope to be able to work with existing and newly elected council members, along with city officials to try and put a new plan together to bring business back to the city. As one person on the council I can’t go it alone, we need to work together as a team to accomplish our objectives.”

Ms. Maravegias said the most pressing problem confronting the city is money, and a need to grow new businesses in the community.

“We need to generate more revenue, and raising taxes is not really an option,” she said. “We can’t just cut our way to prosperity. We need new industry, new commercial ventures to set up shop here in Ogdensburg. We cannot thrive on a residential tax base.”

She also believes her education and drive to succeed are both attributes that can aid City Council in trying to improve economic conditions in the community.

“I believe that my education is a great asset to the city, but more importantly my drive,” she said. “I want Ogdensburg to succeed, and I am driven to do what I can to help facilitate that. I have invested heavily into my home here, I want to ensure that I have made a wise investment. Ogdensburg can succeed, but we all are in this together, we all need to work together to bring about positive results.”

n Nicole L. Kennedy:

A Rensselaer Avenue resident, Mrs. Kennedy is running for office on the Democrat line. She is a private business owner and active parent and volunteer community sports coach who believes her experience and commitment to her hometown can aid the community if elected to City Council.

She is the owner of Kennedy Distributing LLC and has several Little Debbie franchises in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Clinton and Franklin counties. She has five employees, two of which live in Ogdensburg and three in surrounding communities.

“I believe that being a business owner, owning our home in the city and raising our children here shows that I am here for the long haul,” Mrs. Kennedy said. “That means weathering through tough financial times in order to improve our city. I think that owning my own business brings an aspect of financial responsibility to the table, we have some tough decisions that are going to need to be made. I hope to do that with the least amount of impact on the quality of life of the citizens of Ogdensburg while still maintaining fiscal responsibility.”

Mrs. Kennedy said she decided to enter the political arena for the first time because she wants her children to have the same opportunities and memories in the city as she did growing up.

“I think that I can bring ideas, and insight as to what younger generations are looking for in our city,” she said. “I am a level-headed individual who chooses to listen and research before speaking. I want to live in a city people are proud of, and I believe that strong leadership is the foundation of getting us there. Strong leadership comes from making tough decisions, prioritizing, standing up for what you believe in and keeping a level head. All attributes that I possess.”

n Michael Weaver:

A resident of New York Avenue, Mr. Weaver said he is running for City Council to bring a fresh face to politics. He is running for office on the Democrat line.

“If you are ready for a new face, a new beginning and a new direction, then I am your candidate,” he said. “I have lived and worked in the county for over 40 years as an entrepreneur and former business owner.”

Mr. Weaver said he is reviewing the city’s 2018 preliminary budget and said more tough decision will have to be made to pare back spending. If elected, he says he will make business development a priority.

“Hopefully they will make the right fiscal decisions for the good of the citizens,” he said. “We need to enhance our infrastructure, we need to bring industry back to the city, we need more vacant properties on our tax roll.”

He said improving the image of Ogdensburg and promoting the waterfront are his other priorities.

“We also need to improve on the appearance of the entrance to our city, enticing visitors and business,” he said. “I still feel our waterway is our ticket to future success through tourism, fishing events, boating events and exploring our sunken ships. We also need to take care of our local business already here to make sure they stay up and running and thrive.”

WATERTOWN — City police have charged a man with fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property for having $70 worth of video games.

David J. Cedar. 26, 232 W. Main St., apt. 57, was charged Wednesday night after having allegedly taken Nichole Cedar’s video games without her permission on Oct. 24.

He was issued a ticket to appear in Watertown City Court on Nov. 15.

WATERTOWN — City police have charged a Clayton man with second-degree criminal impersonation following a Thursday incident.

Nathan W. Lindsay, 28, 770 Old State Rd., Clayton, is accused of telling Watertown police that he was “Adam W. Sanford” so they would not discover his parole violation warrant.

Mr. Lindsay was pulled over in front of the Stewart’s Shop at 508 Mill St. around 1 a.m. Thursday.

He was held pending his arraignment in Watertown City Court later that morning.

CANTON — A Gouverneur teen was indicted Thursday by a St. Lawrence County grand jury on charges connected to a September burglary and arson.

Nicholas R. Tracey, 18, of 207 Smith Road, Gouverneur, is charged with second-degree burglary, two counts of third-degree burglary, and second-degree criminal mischief, all felonies, and the misdemeanors of torturing animals and fifth-degree arson.

The indictment charges that at 8 p.m. Sept. 14, in the town of Fowler, Tracey entered the 166 Smith Road home, barn and garage of Geremy Cox and caused more than $1,500 in damages, set a bale of hay on fire and struck a bull calf multiple times with a hatchet.

According to the original arrest report by state police, Tracey and an 11-year-old Gouverneur boy entered the property, which includes a vacant farmhouse and a cattle barn used to house young livestock, and while inside, damaged property including an antique John Deere 50 tractor, a Case 1840 skid steer, light fixtures and windows. The two also reportedly beat a young bull on the head with a blunt object causing severe head injuries. The calf had to be euthanized, troopers said.

Tracey and the boy also smashed the windshield, side windows, rear windows and side view mirrors of a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 pickup truck and caused unspecified damage to a 1990 Sunline tow-behind camper that were both in a field. Troopers also said that several bales of hay were tipped over and one was smoldering because it had been set on fire.

The juvenile was issued tickets for St. Lawrence County Family Court at the time of their Sept. 15 arrest.

In other grand jury action Thursday:

Mary E. Yerdon, also known as Mary E. McIntosh, 50, of 230 East Main St., downstairs, was charged with second-degree arson.

The indictment charges on June 9 in the town of Gouverneur, Ms. Yerdon intentionally started a fire at an apartment building while people were inside.

Thadcher C. Adams, 23, of 912 Lake St., Ogdensburg, was charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs.

The indictment charges on Aug. 4 on Route 812, Ogdensburg, Mr. Adams operated a 2007 Ford motor vehicle while his ability was impaired by alprazolam, clonazepam, 7-aminoclonazepam, cocaine and benzoylecgonine.

A 24-year-old man was critically injured Thursday in a car-motorcycle accident on Route 3 between Watertown and Black River, a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy said.

The man, whose name was not released, was turning his motorcycle into a driveway when a car passing a second vehicle hit the motorcycle broadside, Deputy James J. Randall said.

The accident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. No other injuries were reported.

The motorcyclist was airlifted to a Syracuse area hospital and was in critical condition, according to Black River Fire Chief Matthew P. Carpenter.

Assisting at the scene were the Black River and Guilfoyle ambulance squads and the Black River Fire Department.

Chief Carpenter said the affected section of Route 3 may be closed off for the rest of the night if the Sheriff’s Department chooses to reconstruct the scene.

U.S. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik, R-Willsboro, has joined colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advocate for a better defense against Lyme disease.

The bipartisan group of House of Representatives members wrote a public letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Acting Secretary Eric Hargan, asking for more information on Lyme disease by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Unfortunately, the Northeast is the epicenter of the Lyme Disease epidemic with over 90 percent of confirmed Lyme disease cases being reported from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut,” Ms. Stefanik said in a public statement.

The letter asks specifically for performance indicators for Lyme disease to be included in the CDC’s 2019 Congressional Justification.

“These indicators will help Congress better understand the impacts of tick-borne disease and the effectiveness of agency programs for surveillance, prevention and control,” the letter reads.

“(And) help improve health impacts for patients ... thereby reducing the burden on our economy by reducing health care and disability costs.”

The group requested the following to serve as performance indicators:

n Decrease the incidence of Lyme disease in the United States.

n Reduce the average time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis of Lyme disease.

n Increase the number of tests performed for Lyme disease that can confirm the presence of infection

“This letter is aimed to create specific, measurable objectives to track progress as we combat Lyme Disease,” Ms. Stefanik continued. “The more we know about Lyme, the more we can do to treat patients and educate families to stop the spread of this debilitating disease.”

The participating representatives hope to “increase collaboration between (Health and Human Services) agencies and state and local health departments ... Promote the development of innovative diagnostics and treatments ... Increase research aimed at controlling or reducing the population of ticks and reducing their ability to transmit disease ... (and) promote personal protection methods to prevent tick-borne diseases.”

GOUVERNEUR — A fire that destroyed three buildings at Empire Northeast, a mechanical contracting firm, may have involved foul play.

The fire call went out between 1:30 and 1:40 a.m. Thursday, according to Rob A. Macaulay, vice president of Empire Northeast, which owned all the buildings that burned. He was alerted by village police and arrived around 2 a.m. Abandoning the main building as a lost cause, the fire department was able to contain the fire before it jumped a narrow gap to the company’s offices.

“Everybody’s safe, nobody was hurt,” said Mr. Macaulay. “The fire department did an awesome job.”

The fire is believed to have started in a large storage barn and then jumped to a smaller garage and a workshop.

Mr. Macaulay said no one was sure what started the fire, but that there had been a stolen car parked at the backside of the barn, which ran along the railroad tracks. Mr. Macaulay said that the car had likely caught fire, either accidentally or intentionally, and the fire then spread to the barn.

Mayor Ronald P. McDougall arrived around 2 p.m. to survey the damage and said the incident was “suspicious, to say the least.”

“There’s some pictures and videos that may be related to this,” Mr. McDougall said. “There’s been some other crime in the area involving a vehicle and involving another business.”

Mr. McDougall encouraged the people of interest to turn themselves in.

“Our local police agencies who are working in coordination with one another are very anxious to interview the people on those videos, so the sooner they get in there, the better for them,” he said. “Mark my words, they will be caught. It’s a matter of time.”

The destroyed buildings were used to hold a copper fitting room, a maintenance garage and construction materials. Three vans and a pickup truck, all owned by the company, were also destroyed in the fire.

The building nearest the office, a smaller workshop, was still smoldering this afternoon around 2 p.m. and had recently re-kindled before being extinguished again by the fire department. A worker with an excavator brought the building down around 2:15 p.m.

Asked about the value of the damage, Mr. Macaulay said he did not know, but it was likely between $300,000 and $500,000.

A life-size wooden Nativity set belonging to the local Methodist church and stored in a small building near the burned-out barn was pulled out by firefighters.

No one from the Gouverneur Village Police department was available to comment on the investigation when contacted.