Monday’s Northern New York Daily Brief begins with an update in the Thousand Islands, a college fundraising campaign and a close result on the ice. Early voting and a Watertown community event round out today’s five stories.
Sheriff identifies person recovered near Wellesley Island
Jefferson County sheriff’s officials identified the person found in the water near Wellesley Island on Sunday as 30-year-old Alea Melendez of Horseheads, according to WWNY. Her vehicle had been left on the Thousand Islands International Bridge on Friday night, prompting an overnight bridge closure and search. Investigators told the station that surveillance showed no other vehicles near hers when it was abandoned and that they do not consider the incident criminal. Officials have not publicly described a cause of death in the report. This is an update to the earlier bridge closure, not a separate incident.
SUNY Potsdam campaign seeks $45 million for students
SUNY Potsdam says it has raised about $40 million toward a $45 million fundraising goal it hopes to reach by June 2028, WWNY reports. College officials described it as their largest fundraising campaign. They say the money is intended to expand scholarships and opportunities for internships, research and study abroad, while supporting services for students with emerging needs. The $45 million figure is the goal, not the amount already raised.
Clarkson men beat Vermont in overtime
Clarkson’s men’s hockey team defeated Vermont 2-1 in Potsdam on Sunday. Talon Sigurdson scored two minutes and 30 seconds into overtime after following his own rebound, according to Clarkson Athletics. Tyler Wallace scored Clarkson’s earlier goal, and Ben Gaudreau made 29 saves for his first collegiate win. The Golden Knights are now 3-3 and are scheduled to host Niagara for two games next weekend.
Jefferson County early voting continues Monday afternoon
Early voting for New York’s November 3 general election runs through November 1. Jefferson County lists Monday, October 26 hours as noon to 8 p.m. at its designated early-voting sites, including the county office building at 175 Arsenal Street in Watertown and Depauville Fire Hall at 15231 School Street. Voters should check their county board’s current site and ballot information before traveling. Early-voting hours vary by day and county.
Watertown Elks host free family Halloween event
Watertown’s Elks Lodge held its annual trunk-or-treat event on Sunday with more than a dozen decorated trunks and costumed visitors, according to WWNY. Organizers added free hot dogs along with socks, toothbrushes, crayons and coloring books for children. The event ended Sunday afternoon, so this is a recap rather than an invitation to attend today. Lodge members said they hope families will return next year.
The Watertown forecast for Monday calls for fog before 10 a.m., increasing clouds and a 40 percent chance of showers mainly between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The National Weather Service expects a high near 59 degrees with a south wind of 7 to 9 mph turning northwest. Tonight should be partly cloudy with fog developing after 11 p.m. and a low around 30.
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