Regional rundown: a gun threat, water alert, county to sue the state

John Clayton Elementary School was one of eight buildings on lockdown this morning. Photo: Lee Cannon, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

All eight buildings in the Indian River School District were on lockdown this morning after one of the schools received a gun threat. Within 45 minutes, the police determined there was no immediate danger, and the lockdown was lifted.

If you live within the Star Lake Water district, boil your water before you drink it. Today, there was low pressure in the distribution system, meaning harmful microbes could find their way into the drinking water supply.  Updates can be found at afineadirondacktown.org .

St. Lawrence County is suing the Mohawk Tribe and the state of New York over a casino compact that went sour. The tribe was supposed to make special payments for running the casinos, and in exchange, they were told they would have exclusivity to slot machines. But the tribe found out they weren’t the only ones with slot machines, so they stopped making payments. St. Lawrence County Legislators say they’ve been shorted $3 million, and they are now pursuing legal action.

For those who live or work in Canton and haven’t had enough roadwork lately, you might consider visiting the Big Apple sometime soon. Governor Andrew Cuomo just announced the beginning of a construction project that will replace the Tappan Zee with a new bridge. Ultimately, in five years, the New NY Bridge is supposed to ease traffic. Before then – well.

Here’s what’s coming tomorrow on the Eight O’clock Hour:

Brian Mann reports on the fight over a natural gas pipeline that could help modernize IP’s paper mill in Ticonderoga and save the company tens of millions of dollars.  The project would tap into a new gas line now being built in Vermont.  But it faces fierce opposition from some environmentalists and from Vermonters who don’t want the pipeline on their land.

The North Country Children’s clinic is open for business again. Outside funding will tide WIC and other services over for at least six months while the clinic gets its finances in order.

On the next Natural Selections: breathing.  Martha Foley and Curt Stager talk about the various ways different species perform this most necessary of tasks.