In this issue of Watertown NY

📅 Upcoming Events in Watertown NY for the Week

☁️ Watertown NY Weather Update

^🩶 A Silver Lining to Watertown's Snowless Streets: Financial Flexibility

🔐 Prison Closures Loom as Cape Vincent and Riverview Fill Up

🍂 Thompson Park Reservoir Drained in Search of Decades-Old Leak

💧 Surging Costs in Pool Renovation Spark Debate in Watertown Council

⚖️ Ithaca Man Receives 13-Year Sentence for Cocaine Distribution in Watertown

🚨 Felony Charges for Possession of 'Ghost Gun' Parts at Border Entry

💰 Upstate NY's Next Leap: A $23.6 Million Semiconductor Supply Chain Campus

⚾ Home Run Event: Syracuse Mets' Open House Marks Countdown to Season Opener

Upcoming Events in Watertown NY for the Week

8-Mar-2024

Gallery Reading with Psychic Medium Chanel Russell

9-Mar-2024

Battle of the Badges 4

Watertown Wolves at Motor City Rockers

10-Mar-2024

Trio Lucente: At the Café

Manifest-March New Moon Ceremony-IN PERSON/ VIRUTAL

A Silver Lining to Watertown's Snowless Streets: Financial Flexibility

A notably mild winter in Watertown, New York, has led to local public works departments, including Watertown's Department of Public Works and the town of LeRay, experiencing significant budget savings due to reduced snowfall. These savings provide an opportunity to reallocate funds, although they also impact snow-dependent businesses and activities.

Prison Closures Loom as Cape Vincent and Riverview Fill Up

New York's Cape Vincent and Riverview state prisons are operating at near full capacity, contrary to prior reports, with a 95% inmate occupancy rate. This comes as the state considers closing additional prisons due to staffing shortages. These facilities are noted for their complete staffing and significant educational programs, offering rehabilitation opportunities to inmates.

Thompson Park Reservoir Drained in Search of Decades-Old Leak

City officials are tackling a long-standing leak in Thompson Park's reservoir, losing 400,000 gallons of water daily. By draining the 5-million gallon tank and inspecting the infrastructure with the help of DN Tanks, efforts are underway to finally pinpoint and rectify the source of the leakage. This initiative, highlighted by Councilman Shoen's observations, aims to conserve water and resolve an issue that has plagued the community for years.

Surging Costs in Pool Renovation Spark Debate in Watertown Council

A Watertown lawmaker, Ben Shoen, is advocating for stricter oversight on city project costs after unexpected expenses arose from the Flynn Pool renovation. Over $124,000 in additional charges have been incurred, raising concerns about the management of project budgets and contractor accountability. The city aims to improve future project efficiency with the appointment of a new city engineer and closer scrutiny of contracts.

Ithaca Man Receives 13-Year Sentence for Cocaine Distribution in Watertown

In a significant legal development from Watertown, a 31-year-old man from Ithaca, identified as Odell Tindley, has been handed a 13-year sentence in federal prison. This ruling comes in response to Tindley's involvement in the distribution of 83 grams of cocaine in Watertown back in May 2021, coupled with his efforts to facilitate the delivery of methamphetamine on the same day. His sentencing occurred in the U.S. District Court in Syracuse, following his guilty plea in March 2023, where he was given a 156-month prison term.

Felony Charges for Possession of 'Ghost Gun' Parts at Border Entry

Customs and Border Protection officers at the Massena Port of Entry discovered 3D-printed parts of a "Ghost Gun" in a traveler's possession. The parts included a lower receiver for a handgun and three metal components, all of which lacked the necessary serial numbers, rendering the weapon undetectable. The 21-year-old man, who used a Native Tribal document for identification, now faces felony charges for this offense.

Upstate NY's Next Leap: A $23.6 Million Semiconductor Supply Chain Campus

Oneida County receives a $23.6 million grant to develop a semiconductor supply chain campus at Griffiss International Airport, aiming to boost infrastructure and create 3,000 jobs. The "Triangle Site" will undergo extensive upgrades to support new construction and leverage its proximity to major industry players, reinforcing upstate New York's emergence as a key player in advanced manufacturing and nanotechnology sectors.

Home Run Event: Syracuse Mets' Open House Marks Countdown to Season Opener

The Syracuse Mets recently hosted their annual open house at NBT Bank Stadium, setting the stage for an exciting baseball season. The event featured appearances by former New York Mets player Howard Johnson and a message from General Manager Jason Smorol, offering fans a glimpse into the upcoming season's offerings. With a schedule that includes home games starting the last weekend of March and a variety of promotional nights and giveaways, the Syracuse Mets are gearing up for an optimistic season start.