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Here we O'BOWL!

Long awaited Ogdensburg Bowl NOW OPEN as "The 11th Frame"

Exclusive sneak peek ONLY on O'burg News 9 at the newly redesigned Ogdensburg Bowl now Called "The 11th Frame" with "Juniors" as the bar

Also, the alley will be draped in 5 Huge 88" QLED AI Monitors showing sports and other programming around the alley's new plush interior and new high-tech Bar. Like all the residence of O'burg and surrounding town and villages the anticipation it over whelming for its Grand Re-Opening slated for September 6th. 

City facing steep fiscal challenges as budget season nears

OBURG News 9 August 22, 2025

                             – Ogdensburg City Council is facing several challenges as the 2026 budget season nears.

City Comptroller Angela Gray recently told Ogdensburg’s council members that the city continues to struggle with a major shortfall in sales tax and is quickly approaching the constitutional tax limit once again.

On top of that healthcare costs are on the rise and a new contract will soon be needed with the city’s fire union.

Finally, the city is also facing a host of infrastructure needs and will likely need to consider adjusting the sewer rate.

She noted that St. Lawrence County’s unemployment is higher than other places throughout the state and that the city’s tax base remains stagnant.

“The city continues to face a $1.8 million shortfall of revenue since the preemption of sales tax. So that's a continuous thing that we're dealing with in 2025. And as we go into the 2026 budget season, we'll continue to deal with that as well,” she said.

Gray noted that the city reduced the property tax levy in order to help stimulate some economic growth but also that the city is nearing the constitutional tax limit hazard area. 

“Without exclusions we are very close to 90%. So, we have to just keep this in our radar for future decision making,” she said. 

Gray said the city has done some cost reductions, primarily in personnel, which is pressuring the ability to provide government services the way it always has been. 

She said that’s addressed in the fund balance leaving the 2024 audit. 

“We have appropriated $450,000 in the general fund to pay for 2025 expenditures and $150,000 in the sewer fund. We continue to have physical fiscal pressures which are limiting our ability in some space,” she said.

Gray said the city did finish the wastewater treatment plant upgrade which was over $42 million.

“We continue to need upgrades to our pump stations. Some of those projects are in the works. We have a combined stormwater  and wastewater system that needs to be addressed. The city is coming up to the implications of deferring road maintenance, building maintenance, maintenance on the recreational facilities, replacing aging equipment,” she said.

Gray said the city continues to meet the baseline needs but has a significant amount of capital projects that are coming.

She said, as usual, the projection of our retirement and health care costs is increasing. “Those are a significant part of every major fund budget, the general fund, water fund, and sewer fund coming at the end of 2025,” she said.

A major unknown for fiscal planning is the fire union contract. The previous contract was at the center of multiple lawsuits and several years of controversy among some city council members and the public.

“As you know, more than half of the general fund is allocated to public safety, and all these factors will continue to contribute to operating deficits,” Gray said.

She said the city increased water rates last year, and now the sewer fund needs a hard look at rates as well.

“And so, these are some of those items that we talk about in the discussion and analysis and how to stabilize this and move forward in a positive fiscal and strong way,” she said.

Ogdensburg hospital awarded $18.7 million for mental health bed expansion, improved cancer treatment tech and other major improvements

OBURG News 9 --- Aug. 22, 2025 

         Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center will receive $18.7 million in state funding to expand and modernize healthcare offerings in St. Lawrence County. 

"These investments demonstrate a clear commitment from New York State to ensuring the long-term stability of rural healthcare in the North Country," Richard Duvall, President and CEO of NSHA said... "We are deeply grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, the New York State Department of Health, and the New York State Office of Mental Health for their partnership and support. Their dedication makes it possible for us to expand access to critical services, modernize our facilities, and strengthen the health and well-being of the communities we serve.”

This major investment represents a significant step forward in advancing CHMC’s strategic plan and strengthening critical healthcare services for the North Country.

The Transformation IV funding will drive a series of major modernization and service expansion projects including the expansion of mental health services, with increased inpatient behavioral health bed capacity and the creation of a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) to provide immediate, specialized crisis care and reduce strain on emergency departments. 

The grant funding will also streamline hospital operations by modernizing and consolidating clinical services, relocating maternity services, acute and critical care, and lab services onto a single floor, and moving surgical services from three floors to two. 

Officials say the changes will improve efficiency, enhance patient flow, and create the necessary space to expand the children’s mental health unit and establish the CPEP. 

The investment also enhances critical equipment including the purchase of a Linear Accelerator for the Richard E. Winter Cancer Treatment Center. Officials say the technology enables physicians to deliver highly precise radiation therapy that targets tumors more effectively while minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissue, giving cancer patients in the region access to treatment close to home and reducing the need for extensive travel. 

“The Richard E. Winter Cancer Treatment Center is the only dually accredited cancer center serving the North Country, a distinction earned through accreditation from both the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Radiology. Driving Strategic Improvements for the North Country,” a release from the hospital said.

This recent round of grant funding builds on prior investments from the State of New York awarded in the spring of 2024. CHMC was awarded $5 million to expand the Elizabeth May Duvall Children & Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit, the region’s only acute inpatient mental health facility dedicated to treating children and adolescents, ages 5 to 17. 

This expansion will add 10 new beds to meet the growing demand for children’s mental health services in the North Country. 

Additionally, CHMC received a $6 million grant to establish the region’s only Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP), which will create space where individuals experiencing a mental health crisis can receive immediate, specialized care.

Deadly Infection Spread Through Air Conditioning Is Spiking, Experts Warn

                          Oburg News 9 - Aug. 18th 2025-     A surge of Legionnaires’ disease—a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria that flourish in poorly-maintained cooling towers and large air-conditioning systems—is sweeping cities from New York to Melbourne this summer, prompting urgent warnings from public-health officials.

In Central Harlem alone, 67 people have fallen ill and three have died since late July, with investigators tracing the source to contaminated cooling-tower water that was aerosolized and carried indoors by ventilation units. New York Post

Why air-conditioning systems are the perfect incubators

Legionella thrive in warm, stagnant water. When that water circulates through the condensers, misting devices, or cooling towers that help commercial HVAC systems shed heat, microscopic droplets laced with bacteria can be blown back into indoor air and inhaled deep into the lungs.

Because the infection is not spread person-to-person, the condition of a building’s water system—and whether it’s routinely disinfected—largely determines risk.

A summer of outbreaks on three continents

• New York City (USA): 67 cases, 3 deaths linked to 11 contaminated towers, the largest cluster since the city’s 2015 outbreak. U.S. News
• Vorarlberg (Austria): 37 confirmed infections as of February 26 2025, traced to a single cooling tower. ECDC
• Melbourne (Australia): 114 cases and two fatalities tied to an industrial cooling tower in Laverton North by August 20 2024, with numbers still climbing into 2025. ScienceDirect

Researchers writing in The Lancet Microbe warn that 2024 saw “a global surge” in reported Legionnaires’ cases, with climate-driven heat waves and aging infrastructure accelerating the trend. PubMed

The longer-term trend: up and to the right

CDC surveillance shows U.S. incidence has risen nearly nine-fold since 2000, with only a brief dip during the first pandemic year. Summer and early fall remain peak seasons, but preliminary 2025 data suggest cases are already 18 percent above the same period last year. CDC

Europe tells a similar story: the EU/EEA logged more than 10,700 cases and 704 deaths in 2021, the highest tally on record, and several national health agencies have issued 2025 advisories as notification rates climb. ECDC

Who is most at risk?

Older adults, smokers, and anyone with chronic lung disease or immunosuppression are especially vulnerable, with fatality rates reaching 25 percent in high-risk groups.

Symptoms—high fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches—usually appear 2-14 days after exposure. Rapid urine-antigen tests can confirm infection, and early treatment with fluoroquinolones or macrolide antibiotics dramatically improves outcomes.

How building owners—and you—can fight back

There are simple steps to fight the disease, OSHA says:

1. Flush and disinfect cooling towers monthly in summer.
2. Keep hot-water loops above 50 °C and cold lines below 20 °C.
3. Document water-quality testing and remediate immediately if Legionella counts exceed local action levels.
4. Replace or clean HVAC filters to reduce aerosolized bacteria.
5. Seek medical care quickly if you live or work near an outbreak zone and develop flu-like symptoms.

Bottom line

With 2025 shaping up to be one of the hottest years on record—and with air-conditioning demand soaring—experts say routine water-system maintenance is now a frontline public-health measure. Whether you manage a skyscraper or simply live in one, make sure those cooling towers stay clean; the air you breathe could depend on it.

Local man allegedly involved in North Country criminal tampering case, Troopers say

Oburg News 9 Published on August 18, 2025

ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY- A local resident is accused of being involved in a criminal tampering case in the North Country.

Last Thursday, the New York State Police announced the arrests of Christopher J. Backus, 56, of Harrisville, NY, and

William J. Patterson, 71, of Ogdensburg, NY, for third-degree criminal tampering.

On the afternoon prior, Troopers were notified about campaign signs for the Town of Clifton Supervisor being damaged on Tooley Pond Road in the Town of Clifton.

The investigation revealed that Backus and Griffin were responsible for the damage, having repeatedly run over the signs with their vehicles.

Both Backus and Patterson were arrested and processed, then released on appearance tickets that require them to return to the Town of Clifton Court in September.

OBURG News 9 , New York (WWNY) - Investigators are trying to pinpoint the cause of a fire that left an Ogdensburg family homeless.

City firefighters were called to the 700 block of Hamilton Street on Wednesday evening, where they found flames and smoke coming from a two-story house.

Officials said a family of four was home at the time and was able to escape unharmed.

Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames on the outside, but the fire had spread into the attic. Off-duty firefighters were called in.

They spent more than an hour battling the blaze.

There were no injuries.

Officials said the house sustained heavy damage and can’t be lived in.

The Red Cross said it provided financial assistance to two adults and two children, ages 9 and 13. Volunteers also offered health services, comfort kits containing personal care items, stuffed animals for the children, and blankets.

The city police department and Heuvelton Fire Department also responded to the scene.

Motorist looses control of truck and trailer on Route 12 in Ogdensburg

Oburg News 9 August 13th 3:30 pm

      Appears the motorist of this Toyota Tundra lost footing with his boat in tow and ended up in the ditch this afternoon on Route 12 north bound in Ogdensburg. Everyone was ok but shaken up. 

Volunteers keep theater active in Ogdensburg

OGDENSBURG – Thanks to a group of hardworking volunteers, more live performances are coming to St. Lawrence County.

A contingent of volunteers recently met at Ogdensburg Free Academy to continue their mission of helping Ogdensburg Command Performances bring professional live theater to the north country.

In 2024 OCP announced it was ending its six decades run of bringing full seasons of professional live theater to the region, instead focusing on presenting encore presentations when possible.

Ogdensburg Command Performances Administrator Sally F. Palao said the ongoing transition would not be possible without a dedicated group of unsung heroes working behind the scenes. It is those volunteers, she said, that provide the organization’s resiliency and backbone.

“We have 45 volunteers who basically hold it all together,” Mrs. Palao said. “It is no secret that our strong history of success has always been based on an equally strong volunteer commitment.”

Mrs. Palao said about two dozen of the OCP volunteers recently gathered at OFA to continue their behind-the-scenes efforts to bring two new professional stage performances to the region.

The first show called “Christmas in the Air” will take place Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. at OFA. The performance is a family friendly, Radio-City-Music-Hall style song and dance review wrapped in a feel-good holiday storyline, according to reviewers.

In addition, OCP will also bring another professional tour to the region in May, this one highlighting the music of the popular 70s and 80s super groups ABBA and the Bee Gees. The May 2 performance of “ABBA mania and Night Fever/The Bee Gees” will take place at 3 p.m. at the George Hall Auditorium.

The show receives rave reviews and is described as a captivating stage performance displaying dazzling lights and settings, and the unmistakable tunes of two of the most successful music groups of all time - ABBA and the Bee Gees.

Mrs. Palao said the recent volunteer work session at OFA also focused on planning for the upcoming Youtheatre: Class Acts program that brings live performances to north country children during the school day.

That program’s 2025-26 lineup includes:

The Spirit of Harriet Tubman – Created for grades 9 through 12 the performance will be presented at OFA on Oct. 28 and at Gouverneur Central School District Oct. 29.

Wind in the Willows – Youtheatre: Class Acts will present the classic “Wind in the Willows.” Based on the beloved children’s novel by Kenneth Grahame. The show, for grades four through eight, will take place in Ogdensburg on Feb. 12 and again in Gouverneur Feb. 13.

The Stinky Cheese Man – Also included in the Youtheatre lineup for grades prekindergarten through third will be “The Stinky Cheeseman.” The performance will take place at OFA on Feb. 26 and at Gouverneur Feb. 27.

For more information on Ogdensburg Command Performances visit www.ILoveTheatre.org

Festival added to 5th Amazing Race Around Ogdensburg

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - The First Presbyterian Church of Ogdensburg will be hosting the 5th Amazing Race Around Ogdensburg next month.

Organizer Becky Duprey appeared on 7 News at Noon on Wednesday to talk about it. Watch her interview above.

The Amazing Race Around Ogdensburg is not a foot race. Participants can drive around the city to visit various businesses where they will be required to complete a variety of physical and mental challenges.

New this year is a festival to accompany the race.

It will be held on August 15 and 16 at the church. There will be a dunking booth, several craft and food vendors, games, bounce houses, and a water slide.

On Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., there will be karaoke followed by a twisted trivia game with cash prizes.

On Saturday, the race begins at 9 a.m. The festival will continue during the race.

For more information or to register for the race, click here.

Ogdensburg Teenage larrikin taken into custody causes panic and unrest Neiborhood 

Late date for Ogdensburg 2025 August Sewer Rates announced

OBURG News 9-Aug. 10th 2025 – The City of Ogdensburg, reminds tax payers that Sept.  4, is the last date that the 2025 August Sewer Rates can be paid without penalty.  

After September 4, 2025, a 10% penalty will be added.  Bills have been mailed and should be presented when making payment.  Failure to receive a bill does not entitle the customer to the net rate.

    Online payments are accepted via the City’s website at www.ogdensburg.org.  Payment on current and past due amounts can be paid by credit card, debit card or e-check.  Please see the acceptance agreement for service charges.

  Payments can also be place in the drop box marked “Envelope Depository” on the Caroline Street side of the building.  

Woman safely escapes burning vehicle in Ogdensburg

Published: Aug. 4, 2025 at 3:44 PM EDT|Updated: 23 hours ago
OGDENSBURG, New York (Oburg News 9) -

If your car is acting strangely, it might be a warning.

Late Sunday morning in Ogdensburg, a woman pulled off State Route 37 into a parking lot as her car was on fire.

She told city fire officials her wipers and stereo had stopped working a couple of days earlier, and then, as she drove near the city on Sunday, she noticed the car getting warm and pulled into a Paterson Street parking lot, escaping the burning vehicle safely.

Fire officials blame the blaze on an electrical issue in the engine compartment.

The car is a total loss. Ogdensburg and Heuvelton firefighters were on scene.

They don't build them like they used too...

This Chrysler Imperial got rear-ended by an unrecognizable car in NY ... Insurance companies should wake up and demand better built cars instead of paying out 25-40K for an accordion on wheels, then passing the cost onto other responsible drivers. Both drivers were OK, but the classic car was reported to be laughing screaming "Long live Detroit" at the carnage behind it.

Tipping your delivery professionals is not only the right thing to do, but the incurring cost to the driver is astronomical for the convenience 

Oburg News 9  July 17th 2025--

                 When you're out for dinner, tipping your waiter or waitress is expected of you. As per American custom, the average amount restaurant-goers tip is about 15 to 20 percent of the bill.

But, when it comes to delivery drivers, social customs don't seem to be as clear. So, should you tip the delivery driver, and if so, how much?

A new survey shows that on average, only 15.7 percent of Americans tip their driver when getting food delivered, and 64 percent of them tip a percentage of the food cost versus a flat amount.

People are evenly divided on how they tip, with over half of the respondents, 52 percent, tipping in cash and 46 percent tipping via the app they ordered with.

Should You Tip Your Delivery Driver?

Most food delivery providers encourage customers to tip drivers, even if they're paying delivery fees, especially if the driver had to ride in the rain or if they had to put in some extra effort delivering an exceptionally large order.

A spokesperson for food ordering and delivery platform Spark (Wal*Mart Delivery) told Oburg News 9 "Our drivers are a top priority for us, and tipping allows shoppers to show appreciation for the hard work that goes into delivering every order. That's why we give shoppers the opportunity to easily add a tip at checkout in our app, and we encourage consumers to tip 20 percent for delivery's that arrive on time and as ordered.

"Shoppers are always welcome to tip drivers in cash if that's their preference. We also encourage more generous tips for drivers who deliver large orders, have to drive or travel in inclement weather, or have to climb a few flights of stairs."

For drivers, a tip on each order can make a huge difference. In fact, they even try to avoid tipless trips whenever they can.

What Drivers Think About Tipping Culture

If you're trying to order food but no driver is picking up your order it may be because you're not a tipper, and as Ray, a delivery driver for Walmart explained, sometimes the driver would actually lose money picking up a tipless delivery.

He told Oburg News 9: "Myself and my daughter deliver food. I deliver for Wal*mart and she delivers for DoorDash. We rarely accept no tip orders, because 99 percent of the time, it would cost us to deliver. I've also noticed that the no-tippers request more and are more likely to leave a bad rating for absolutely no reason. My time, effort, and gas are most definitely deserving of a tip."

Ray's daughter, Lisa, also had a lot to say about this issue, pointing out that the situation for them is only getting worse.

She said: "I've been dashing for nearly three years and it's getting much worse. DoorDash cut our base pay from $3.00 per order to $2.50 per order during the pandemic, and without the customer tipping, it's simply not worth it with the outrageous gas prices."

She added: "It's a convenience service and should be treated as such. I am a former waitress and made very good tips walking the food from the kitchen to customer's tables, so I'm really not understanding how anyone doesn't tip when we wait for their orders and drive it to their house."

DoorDash previously told Oburg News 9: "Nationally, on average, Dashers earn over $25 per hour they're on a delivery, including 100% of tips, and work fewer than four hours a week.

"Dashers are always shown a guaranteed minimum amount they will earn for completing a delivery before they even accept the delivery, as well as the location and name of the restaurant, and estimated total mileage for the delivery so that they can make the best decision for themselves while dashing."

An image sent by Lisa, delivery driver for DoorDash, shows a delivery she refused to pick up because of the low pay. Lisa Wilson

Mark, a delivery driver from Georgia, who's been working for Pizza Hut for roughly three months, told Newsweek that delivering food for a living is a very unhealthy profession, calling it a "roller coaster for tips."

He said: "If the company paid delivery drivers a decent wage, it would be different. But the wage they pay us drivers is very terrible. I make roughly $7.25 an hour to upwards of 10 dollars depending on what I am doing. If I am in the store, it's $10, but if I am on the road, it's $7.25 an hour.

"They pay for mileage but even that is very hard to work with, as you literally have to drive their route or you end up spending gas instead of making back what you put in gas. Where I am it's 40 cents a mile, so roughly 50 miles earns me $20 for the night.

According to figures from Talent.com, the average U.S. pizza hut delivery driver is paid $36,387 per year, or $18.66 per hour, with entry level positions starting at $29,250 annually.

"Tips is the worst of it, the most expensive delivery I have done was near $110, and got a 2-cent tip, the change of the money given, and it's common where I live to get none to maybe 5 or 25 cents for the change out of the dollar. If you have a fuel-efficient vehicle, it's worth it, but most kids and adults who are doing this job have the gas-guzzling old vehicles."

"Some nights I make good in tips, well good for me is over 30 dollars in tips, but a lot of slow nights I make 5 to 10 dollars for 7 to 10 deliveries. So yes, delivering food no matter what it is, can really be a terrible way to live. Not getting a tip and having to drive 10 miles round trip really affects people."

Ogdensburg Bowl gets much need upgrade to 2025

Oburg News 9 - June 23rd 1:30 p.m.--

               All though will be closed for two weeks starting today... the excitement is felt all over town...Ogdensburg Bowing gets a facelift, finally. It is wonderful to see this historic site of Ogdensburg, since bought 1971, still in operation now it gets the upgrades it needed, like New Self-Scoring OLED Monitors and new luxury seating to fit the needs of a new generation of bowlers. We all know there isn't much for the kids, teenagers, or young adults to do in this city. With this new upgraded Ogdensburg Bowl hopes are high for a new generation to see how exciting the game of bowling really is!! Hat's off to the new owner and huge success to them. 

Rare dual-hospital campus in Ogdensburg seeks continued support from NY state

OBURG News 9— As North Star Health Alliance completes its plan for preserving rural healthcare in the north country, it is looking for continued strong support from the state to help it reach the final phase in the transformation of its Ogdensburg campus.

                      Since August 2022, North Star has been working with the state Department of Health on a stabilization plan that unites Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Carthage Area Hospital, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Campus, North Country Orthopedic Group and Meadowbrook Terrace under a shared framework for leadership and service coordination.

Oburg gets an AutoZone and O'Reilly's Auto Parts Stores.

Oburg News 9 -     Plans to bring an AutoZone to the corner of State Highways 37 and 68 are underway. Oswegatchie Code Officer Russell Lawrence confirmed rumors that AutoZone was coming to the area and shared a site plan for the project which calls for a 6,811 square foot building where the former DealMaker dealership stood.

Oswegatchie officials recently approved a site plan for AutoZone which is set to be located near the intersection of State Highways 37 and 68. The plan still needs final approval.

Former Cam's Pizza has been sold, What's next for Oberg establishment?

Oburg News 9 - June 17th, 2025, 10:05 a.m.-

            Former Cam's Pizza on Ford Street has been sold. Guess it wasn't "love at first slice" for these customers of this establishment. It's future According to America 1 Realty is going to become " Some kind of lunch place". This is all Oburg News 9 has for information at this time but stay tuned and check back for more developments in this mystery restaurant opening investigation.

What's opening at the Save-a-Lot Plaza?

No word yet on what will become of this storefront in Save-a-lot plaza. Worker on site had no clue. If you have any information comment below.

Safari trip gone wrong at intersection of Ford Street Ext. & Route 37 

Appears the neither the Chevy Trail Blazer nor the Blazer were in an accident with each other but does appear that the Brown Blazer did want to go on a safari threw the marsh. Maybe they wanted a better look at the Canadian geese or the amphibious frogs in that conservation area. No animals or humans injured in this incident.

Does appear the gentlemen may be requesting a refund.

Prescott, Ogdensburg mayors meet over cross-border issues

Mayors aim to improve community relations

Oburg News 9--June 11th, 2025

         As a show of support between two border communities, the mayors of Prescott and Ogdensburg, N.Y. met last week to discuss a number of topics, including the state of the relationship between Canada and the United States.

           This is the first meeting between the two mayors – Ogdensburg Mayor Michael Tooley was sworn into office in January 2024 and this is Prescott Mayor Gauri Shankar’s first term.

Mayor Tooley made the trip north of the border to Prescott town hall where the two mayors talked for about an hour about how these two St. Lawrence River communities can forge a path going forward.

“This whole idea started with residents asking me to take down the American flags in town,” said Shankar. “I told them I wouldn’t do that, because they’re our allies and our friends. Those requests were what inspired me to reach out to Mayor Tooley and set this meeting up.”

Amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war with Canada, there has been a rise in Canadian nationalism and a decline in favorability toward Americans.

Ogdensburg's Shoe Dept. Encore relocating to Gateway Plaza

             Jun. 12—OGDENSBURG News 9 —

Shoe Dept. Encore, 723 Canton St., is relocating to the Gateway Plaza.

It was confirmed by Gateway Plaza officials that the store is planning to reopen in July at the Ford Street Extension shopping center where the former Joann Fabric and Crafts store was located.

At the Canton Street location, in the town of Oswegatchie, all signs have been removed from the exterior of the building and notices were posted on the doors.

                       "We are Moving!!! Last day open at this location June 1st till 6 p.m. We will reopen in the Price Chopper Plaza next door to the Dollar Tree. Date TBD. Look forward to serving you in our new location soon," the signs read, signed "Shoe Dept. Encore 1804."

Shoe Dept. Encore is one of multiple shoe store brands operated by its parent company Shoe Show Inc., North Carolina. The company was founded in 1960 by Robert B. Tucker and has more than 1,000 locations in 47 states. The company operates stores throughout the United States under the brands Shoe Show, the Shoe Dept., the Shoe Dept. Encore, Shoebilee!, Burlington Shoes, Shoe Show Mega, and Half-Moon Outfitters, according to its website.

Shoe Dept. Encore opened in Ogdensburg March 2019, taking over the former Walgreens drug store building which had closed in the summer of 2015 after a run of eight years.

Home business water fee in Ogdensburg is not arbitrary or discriminatory, but it’s time to move on, city manager says

I guess someone has to pay for the massive consumption of water the new brewery (we are paying for with $3.5 million government grant money) will consume.

     Oburg  News 9 OGDENSBURG -- A home business water rate set by the city continues to draw complaints from daycare providers who say the rates are discriminatory and arbitrary.

At a recent city council meeting the city once again discussed a water billing measure which charges a fee to home businesses. The issue is, only about a dozen businesses are paying the fee. The city has struggled with finding an easy way to identify them.  Among those paying the fee are daycare providers as they are registered and easier to track.

That’s led local providers to raise questions about the equity of the law and how it’s enforced and even went as far as calling the practice discriminatory.

City Manager Fonda Chronis says the claim is offensive.

"We're talking about $165 to a business for the year, he said.

That drew criticism from one attendee who said that's a lot of money.

"To a business that receives grant dollars. If they don't want to pay the $165 just remove yourself from the New York State (registry)," Chronis replied.

Chronis noted that home businesses used to pay $2,000 prior to the recent law change.

"Of course, this is being done equitably and fairly. I can't imagine how anyone can throw around the word discrimination. That's a big time word that has a lot of negative connotations to it and I take offense as a member of the management team that anybody would use that phase to say that we haven't done our best in a situation that I inherited, by the way, in trying to make this right," he said. 

Chronis said the council has "split the baby" on the issue several times.

"Quite frankly, this needs to go away. The management team does not have time to deal with this situation anymore," he said.

Councilor Jennifer Stevenson suggested establishing a task force to address the problem which has been raised at several council meetings by members of the public for the past few months.

Chronis, however, advised against it.

"I respectfully, Councilor Stevenson, would disagree. And urge the council not to move forward with this because we just don't have time. We have significantly more pressing issues than this and this is a time sink. It's already been a time sink, and we don't have any more time to waste on this," he said.

Stevenson said that she agrees the issue needs to be put to bed. However, she said the issue isn't just about money.

"From what I'm hearing; it's about that I'm paying for it and you're not. I'm just using that as an example. That's what it's about. It's about the enforcement of it. It's about - it's voluntary. It really is a voluntary thing because from what I'm hearing with the affidavits. If you say no you could be running the same business Mike and I could be running the same business and I say no and he says yes, he has to pay the $165. That's what it's about."

Stevenson said she wanted to have an open work session to settle the matter.

Chronis also took issue with concerns that the city's policy was "whimsical."

"Whimsical just means that we picked it out of the air and we didn't do that. We utilized evidence that we had," he said.

"To say that it's discriminatory or whimsical or arbitrary is incorrect." he said.

Chronis said staff has put in a lot of time that it probably shouldn't have to address the issue. He said the goal is to be as equitable as possible in a situation that "will never be equitable."

He said even if the city had meters people would claim the minimum fee was not equitable.

He said staff has given the law its due course in time and effort and that the city needs to move on.

Mayor Michael Tooley noted that the city's been working on the issue since January and that a council agreed on the changes in a unanimous vote. He said he did not support calls for a Taskforce and then asked if any members of council were supportive of forming one.

Councilors Stevenson and Trimm indicated they were, but no one else agreed.

Tooley said no Task Force would be established.

Chronis said that if someone knows a business is in violation of the ordinance, they can report it to the city. However, he said the city can't "kick somebody's door in" to see if they are running a business or not.

However, he said if something is reported the city will perform its due diligence to investigate the claim.

Deputy Mayor Dan Skamperle said he'd rather see the fee go away. He said only 11 businesses are paying it and it's not worth the city's time.

Tooley noted that in a flat rate system there are implied subsidies. Some people pay more than their share, others pay less.

He said city management is doing their best to enforce the law agreed to by council.

Councilor Michael Powers noted that it's not perfect but said the city's resources are strapped and that the city needs to move forward.

"It's nothing against the daycare providers or any other businesses, hair stylists whatever the case may be," he said.

Stevenson said that while she's happy to let the issue go, she doesn't expect it will go away.

"I was just looking for a way for people to feel like they were heard," she said.

Tooley said he believes the council has done a good job in listening to the citizens comments.

"People may not get answers they like, but I'd like to believe they feel like they've been listened to with respect," he said.

Power restored at Wal*Mart as of 8:32 June 10th

Oburg News 9 (June 11th 8:32 a.m.) UPDATED

            Panic is over!!! Oburg has it's Wal*Mart back. Let the saving begin.

              As of 6:00 am this morning all freezer and refrigeration products are being replaced. Wal*Mart is taking no chances that the food is still good or spoiled. So, all products may not be in freezers or coolers till end of day. The employees there are working hard to get things back up and running. Non-perishable items are ready for purchase. 

Power outage at Wal*Mart 

Looks like it's lights out for Wal*Mart thanks to a Verizon employee who doesn't know about 811 DIG SAFE Codes.

     (June 10 Updated 7:30 p.m.)   Oburg News 9 Sources say it may be temporary to week-long event. Verizon was responsible for this outage. As they were digging for new fiber optic lines around the Wal*Mart property someone from Verizon gouged into a Main underground High Voltage powerline. Absolutely unexpectable frailer of processes which include having Dig Safe (811) Employees surveying the dig pattern. So, registers are out, so sales come to a screaming Halt. This could cost Wal*Mart in the millions a day so immediate attention I definitely paramount for Wal*Mart. Locals are hoping to have their store back ASAP, Shopping at Price Gouger is expensive for OBurger's. Check Oburg News 9 for updated news on this situation often. Calling the store is futile for phone lines are also down.

Four St. Lawrence County farms to receive dairy modernization grant, says state

Posted Monday, June 2, 2025 6:30 pm

Four St. Lawrence County farms are to be awarded part of about $3.3 million in state grants to modernize their farm operations, announced the governor’s office.

J&J Farms of Ogdensburg, River Breeze Dairy LLC in Chase Mills, Royal J. Acres LLC in Ogdensburg, and Stauffer Farms LLC in North Lawrence are among the 15 North Country farms the state says will receive the grants.

The North Country farm awards are part of nearly $21.6 million awarded to 103 farms across the state through the Dairy Modernization Grant Program to support New York’s dairy industry, the press release from the governor’s office said.

The state claims the funding, first announced in the Governor’s 2024 State of the State address, will help New York’s dairy farmers and dairy cooperatives invest in new equipment, expand storage capacity, and strengthen their operations, particularly as they face extreme weather events, providing a critical boost to New York’s dairy industry.  

A regional breakdown of the awards made across the state includes:

• Capital Region: nine farms were awarded a total of nearly $1.8 million.
• Central New York: 18 farms were awarded a total of more than $3.9 million.
• Finger Lakes: 20 farms were awarded a total of more than $4.3 million.
• Mid-Hudson: One farm was awarded more than $147,000.
• Mohawk Valley: 11 farms were awarded a total of more than $2.1 million.
• North Country: 15 farms were awarded a total of more than $3.3 million.  
• Southern Tier: 13 farms were awarded a total of nearly $2.6 million.
• Western New York: 13 farms were awarded a total of more than $2.7 million.

The Dairy Modernization Grant program awarded eligible applicants for projects to expand on-farm milk storage capacity, improve the transportation and storage of milk, and strengthen the dairy industry.

“New York’s dairy industry is critical to the agricultural and economic health of our state,” said New York State Farm Bureau President David Fisher, a Madrid farm owner.

“The Dairy Modernization Grant Program is not only a significant step in improving operations for farmers across New York, but also in making a commitment to agricultural sustainability. With Dairy Month upon us, we celebrate dairy farms of all sizes and the farmers who bring fresh, nutritious products to the table every day,” Fisher said.

Ogdensburg library gets a lift

Posted Saturday, May 24, 2025 3:23 pm

A $30,000 Community Foundation grant is helping Ogdensburg Public Library improve accessibility for all patrons as work to replace an aging handicapped lift nears completion. Library officials have been eager to construct a safe, modern entryway for all patrons, regardless of mobility. Installation of an interior lift and structure to protect it has been underway since March.  

Memorial Day ceremony in Lisbon

Posted Tuesday, May 27, 2025 9:21 am

Lisbon veterans Clay Armstrong, John Amell, Dave Hollis and James McNeil paid tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice during a Memorial Day ceremony held at the Lisbon American Legion. Photo by Janell McNeil.

Ogdensburg awarded more than $3.5 million to waist on 2 not need projects for major development projects and will not be used to open the beautiful, needed Theatre 

Oburg News 9 -

      In Ogdensburg two grants will help the city's waterfront flourish. Ya we need a brewery in the city. NOT

A $3.5 million grant will pave the way for the reuse of 119 W. River Street, a long-abandoned not needed former waterfront hotel property situated not even close to the St. Lawrence River. 

“This transformative downtown initiative focuses on restoring two historic stone mill buildings to create a vibrant mixed-use destination that the city doesn't need., including 10 residential apartments even though there are many empty apartments for rent everywhere in the city... The redevelopment will not breathe new life into a blighted neglected area but only waist precious grant money and will not enhance the local economy.

Additionally, a $914,355: Small City Brewing Company will transform a vacant building at 110 Lake Street into a craft brewery, advancing the already huge problem of alcoholism plaguing the city. The development of Ogdensburg’s Marina District does not need another place to buy booze. 

 The project will include a manufacturing facility with a commercial grade five-barrel brewing system that the city does not need. And the addition of a 400 square foot grain room. SCBC plans to wholesale to restaurants and bars and open a retail tasting room on-site with a commercial kitchen and event space.

Ogdensburg settles years-old defamation suit involving former city officials

OBURG News 9—

         Ogdensburg has settled a years old lawsuit involving former City Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly, former City Manager Stephen Jellie and former City Fire Captain Gerald Mack.

In February Ogdensburg City Council approved a settlement to end a lawsuit filed against the former City Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly and former City Manager Stephen Jellie. Although there were some delays it has not been officially settled, according to city officials.

Officials say paying the settlement was expected to cost less than continuing litigation.

"We believe it's in that the net expense to the city in terms of legal expenses, and at this time we are providing support attorneys to Mr. Jellie and Mr. Skelly, as well as the attorney representing the city, that the net legal cost of $30,000 to $35,000 today plus a $30,000 legal settlement falls short of what the estimated legal costs will be if we continue further in this litigation," Mayor Michael Tooley said after the February meeting where the deal was approved.

Gerald Mack, a former Fire Captain, filed the lawsuit following a dispute that stemmed from a dispute with former Mayor Jeffrey M. Skelly and former City Manager Stephen Jellie which has roots going back 2020, and centers around public comments made by them regarding a number of incidents.

Mack and Skelly have had several interactions, including a December 2020 incident in which Skelly was charged with second-degree harassment for an incident that occurred at city hall.

Mack alleged the mayor had knocked him to the ground.

The mayor was eventually found not guilty of the charges.

In November of 2021 Mack was charged with stalking and criminal mischief after Skelly accused Mack of slashing tires on his vehicle.

The charges were eventually dropped by prosecutors.

In August of 2022, Skelly was charged with making false statements, the charges stem from the allegations he levied regarding the tire slashing.

That criminal matter remains unresolved.

Both Skelly and Jellie were named in the lawsuit against the city..

The defamation suit claims Skelly made false allegations against Mack to local news sources and that Jellie did the same.

The summons alleges that the claims made by both are libelous and slanderous and have caused Mack sustained economic damages and were intended to “cause emotional damage and financial damage to the plaintiff Gerald Mack.”

Walmart rolling out 7 key changes to 600 stores this month

Oburg News 9 (May 22, 2025)         

Change can be scary, but at the same time, it can be good because it means there’s movement, which seems to be what’s happening in the case of Walmart, the popular retail store that dishes out top-notch deals.

Walmart is reportedly doing a major store remodel to 650 stores across 47 states, including Puerto Rico over the next 12 months.

Based on the unpredictable economy and popular stores like JCPenney shutting some of their locations for good, change may also be needed to stay ahead of the curve and keep customers coming back.

British TikToker, Seth Marshall, just swung by Walmart for the first time and he was so impressed by what he found in the superstore, that he gave the retailer a ranking of "ten out of ten."

While it’s nice to get a shoutout on TikTok, and the review may prove to be helpful in getting the word out, it appears Walmart is looking to make some tangible changes to improve the customer experience.

Here are the seven changes that you can look for in the coming months:

1. A better layout

Walmart's are referred to as superstores for a reason, because they are quite big — roughly 179,000 square feet — which can be overwhelming.

It seems like the folks at Walmart are aware of this and are putting in the time an effort to make the setup a little more manageable for shoppers.

The details have yet to be released, but we’re looking forward to what’s to come.

2. Wider product selection

Walmart already has a huge proud t selection, ranging from groceries, to household supplies, to bikes and toys, and an entire gardening section, we can’t even imagine adding more, but it sounds like that’s the case.

The superstore is going to become even more super with more details to come.

3. Game-changing technology

While it’s mum’s the word on what the new products are, we can look for “game-changing technology,” which has been confirmed.

It’s still a little cloak and dagger, not quite revealing the specifics, but we’re all about the eleventh of surprise, it adds to the anticipation.

4. Greater accessibility

At first glance, greater accessibility typically means getting in and out of the store, but in this case, it means more signs, and bold signs, so people can find what they’re looking for in the store.

And now that we’ve mentioned ramps, we did check, Walmart stores are generally considered to be handicap accessible, and they are making efforts to further improve accessibility for all customers.

Walmart stores comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

5. Pharmacies will be updated

In addition to products, Walmart's also have pharmacies, which will see more spacious aisles and private checkout lanes, post-makeover.

6. Broaden online pickup and delivery

Walmart will expand on its services to to “fulfill the growing number of online customer orders.”

7. Continued growth

Walmart is planning to build or convert over 150 stores through 2029.

Walmart US CEO John Furner said, "These new and remodeled stores will better enable us to meet and exceed customer expectations whether in a store, online at Walmart.com, or through one of our mobile apps."

Walmart has not released a list of the stores that will be remodeled, at least not yet.

CANTON, New York (OburgNews9) - What would you do with $10 million? One lucky customer at the Stewart’s Shop in Canton is about to find out.

Brad Maione, a spokesperson for the state Gaming Commission, said a winning ticket from Canton had been confirmed.

According to Stewart’s Shops, the lucky ticket was sold on May 3rd. They say it was a $10 million Bonus scratch-off sold at the Stewart’s Shop on East Main Street in Canton, NY.

According to a press release from Stewart's, the lucky customer, who enjoys having coffee and hanging out playing the lottery, bought the winning ticket on May 3 because otherwise it is hard to get waited on at this store to buy anything.

The scratch-off that won cost the customer $30 a ticket. In total, five people have won $10 million each with this game, and the Canton winner was the last big winner for that scratcher. So, buying that ticket is futile to win anything big.

To see how many Jackpot prizes are left on each ticket game click here Scratch-Off Games | New York Lottery: Official Site

Mayor Mike Dalton says there’s excitement in town. “It’s kind of neat that somebody would win that kind of money in our community, whether it’s somebody that lives in the village or frequents that store. It’s just kind of neat that it happened in the North Country,” said Dalton.

The odds of winning this specific scratch-off ticket are 1 in 1 in 3,609,120.00. So, lady luck was on this person's side and there are no more 10,000,000 prizes left on this particular scratch-off. 

The Clean-up is underway on Riverside Avenue Eye-sore after resent fire.

       After a resent fire at this property on Riverside ave. the city is cleaning up an abandoned building that housed squatters that used it to use illicit drugs. Local residents are happy to see it go. Other building such as the one adjacent to this property need to be put to use or torn down as well.

        Homeowners on this street are happy to see the clean-up underway. 

Ogdensburg is a city with a hugely potential waterfront on the St. Lawarnce River and hopefully this is a start to cleaning o'burg up.

Wal*Mart Parking Fiasco