Watertown, NY — The Watertown City School District, encompassing the City of Watertown and the towns of LeRay, Pamelia, Rutland, and Watertown, has successfully secured community approval for its proposed $110 million capital project.
With a decisive vote of 678 in favor to 138 against, the community showed strong support for enhancing the safety, comfort, and overall well-being of students and staff. The approved funding will address essential infrastructure needs, ensuring that the district's schools remain safe, warm, and dry, providing an optimal learning environment for students and a supportive workplace for educators.
Dr. Larry C. Schmiegel, Superintendent of Schools, expressed his gratitude to the community for its trust and support:
"I am deeply grateful for the trust our community has placed in us by approving this capital project. This vote reflects the shared belief that when our schools thrive, our entire community thrives. By investing in our schools, we are investing in the future of our children and the continued success of our district. As we say in our district’s motto, 'Our children, our future!' – this is a commitment to providing the best possible learning environments for all of our students. Thank you to everyone who participated in this important decision."
The approval marks a significant milestone for the district as it prepares to enter the next phase of planned improvements. The focus will remain on creating a lasting positive impact on all students, reinforcing the district's commitment to quality education and student success.
The Watertown City School District extends its appreciation to all community members who contributed to this pivotal decision, emphasizing the collective effort to invest in the future of local education.
Kathy Hochul had disabled New Yorkers ARRESTED after she caused them to lose their home healthcare Medicaid program. Hochul is dismantling the home healthcare CDPAP program which will cause tens of thousands of disabled and elderly New Yorkers to lose their benefits, healthcare aides, and many forced to move to assisted living facilities.
This protest is trying to stop her bill before it goes into effect April 1st.
In December 2024, a video surfaced showing former Watertown Mayor Jeffrey Smith receiving a ride home in a police patrol car after a night of holiday drinking. The incident has sparked controversy, with City Councilman Cliff Olney accusing Smith of receiving "preferential treatment" from the Watertown Police Department.
The video, which has circulated widely on social media this week, depicts Smith interacting with officers before being escorted into the patrol car. Councilman Olney contends that such actions undermine public trust and suggest a double standard in law enforcement practices.
In response, Smith has downplayed the incident, stating, "It's not a big deal, I drive on a suspended registration too!" This remark has further fueled the debate, with critics arguing that it reflects a dismissive attitude toward legal obligations and public safety.
The Watertown Police Department has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter. As discussions continue, the incident ...
Andrea Ann Brozzo (40) 409 Academy St - Brozzo was arrested on the 500 block of Clay Street in the city on an executive bench warrant for Jefferson County family Court. The defendant was transported to PSB, processed, and turned over to the Jefferson County sheriff's office.
Elvin Brandon Nieves (33) 25791 NYS RT 37 Apt#109 - Nieves is charged by police with public lewdness in the first degree, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a controlled substance in the Seventh degree. Police report state that the defendant exposed his genitals to a female victim as well as a 3-year-old juvenile and did intentionally stroke his genitals while speaking to another victim at Holy Family Church located at 129 Winthrop Street. The defendant was also previously convicted of public lewdness on 04/03/2025. He was arrested on the above charges and transported to PSB where he was processed and released with an appearance ticket for Watertown city court with a date of 04/28/2025 at9:00 am.
Robert Emery Marion III (28) 163 WINTHROP STREET Apt# 3 - Marion is charged by police with criminal contempt in the first degree and harassment in the second degree. Police reports state that he did knowingly and intentionally grab a 30-year-old female DOB 02/02/1995 by her hair and then struck her in the side of the head with a closed fist. He was transported to PSB, processed and held pending arraignment.
Amber Marie Come (36) HOMELESS - Come is charged by city police with criminal mischief and the fourth degree and criminal possession of stolen property in the 5th degree. Report state she was found in possession of a key fob owned by Washington Street properties which was reported stolen earlier. She was transported to PSB where she was processed and released with an appearance ticket returnable to Watertown city court on 04/29/25.
Ryan William Stevens (18) 300 RICE ST Apt#B1. - Stevens is charged with criminal contempt in the second degree. Police state that Stevens did commit the offense of ...
Gregory Phillip Jones Jr (49) 661 Factory Street Apt# 20 - Jones is charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd Degree, and Unsafe Signaling While Turning. The defendant was issued two appearance tickets for Watertown city court.
Robert Emery Marion (28) 163 Winthrop Street Apt#.3 - Marion is charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Third Degree and Unsafe Signaling. The defendant was transported to PSB and processed and held pending arraignment.
Robert Emery Marion (28) 163 Winthrop Street Apt#.3 - Marion is charged with Criminal Contempt in the Second Degree. Police reports state that he did knowingly and intentionally violate a stay away and referring from order of protection when he contacted the protected party Jill Timpson during a domestic incident. He was processed and held pending arraignment.
Robert Emery Marion (28) 163 Winthrop Street Apt#.3 - Marion is charged with criminal content in the second degree, when reports say he grab the ...
Chelsea Marie Beardslee (36) 124 Flower Ave E Apt# 2 - Beardslee is charged with Criminal Possesion of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree. Reports state she did knowing and unlawfully possess the controlled substance Fentanyl. She was processed and held pending arraignment.
Chelsea Marie Beardslee (36) 124 Flower Ave E Apt# 2 - Beardslee is charged with Petit Larceny. Police reports state she did steal a glass bottle containing approximately $75 from Donald Osborn.
Steven Phillip Wolcott Jr (30) 1650 State St. - Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Third Degree, Operating a Motorvehicle Without Insurance, Operating an Unregistered Motorcycle. He was processed at the scene and issued apperance tickets for city court.
Lynn Marie Pond (35) 512 Stone St. - Pond is charged by city police with Disorderly Conduct. Police reports state that Pond made unreasonable noise when she started screaming and yelling obscenities on the sidewalk of 512 Stone St after being told numerous times by officers to refrain from her behavior with several children and other members of the public in the area observing her behavior, during the course of a domestic incident. He was transported to PSB, processed, and held pending arraignment.
Benjamin Harrison Horn III (47) 164 Sith St. - Horn is charged with Harassment in the Second degree & Resisting Arrest. Reports state Horn did, with intent to harass, and annoy a Watertown Police Officer when he threatened to subject the officer to unwanted physical contact by being aggressive towards officers by yelling and stepping towards them with both arms out with clenched fists in a threatening manner. When placed under arrest he straightened his arms and pulled away to prevent himself from being handcuffed. He was arrested on the above charges and released with an appearance ticket for city court.
Peter Stanley Nagrodski (62) 140 High St Apt.# 2 - Nagrodski is charged by Watertown Police with Petit Larceny & Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree. Reports state Nagrodskidid intentionally steal thirty three magazines, valued at $247.50, belonging to Five and Dime Tatto, 95 Public Sq. 407 as well as damaging propert when he tore pages from the magazines without permission. He was arrested on the above charges and issues an appearance ticket for city court.
Elijah Frey Kleinhans (36) Homeless - Kleinhans is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree. Police reports state that Kleinhans did knowingly and unlawfully possess 13 glassine envelopes containing a substance that tested positive for fentanyl. Adittionally he was arrested on a warrant out of city court for a previous charge. He was transported to PSB and processed before being turned over to JCSO.
Christopher John Leone (39) 519 Stone St. - Leone was charged by city police with Disorderly Conduct. Police say he was observed yelling at Shelly Ferguson on the 500 block of Stone St. and alarming several people who were currently outside, and causing more to step out of their residences. The was transported to PSB, processed, and released with an appearance ticket for city court.
Richard William Walters (60) 636 Bronson Street apt# 4 - Walters is charged by city police with menacing in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree police reports state that he did brandish a large metal bar from a bed frame and raised it up like a baseball bat while threatening uniformed Watertown police officers placing them in fear of physical injury. He was transported to PSB processed and held pending arraignment.
Casandra Lynn Tyre (33) 15 Maywood Terr. - Tyre is charged with harassment in the second degree. Reports state that she struck the victim, Richard Clay, with a closed fist in the right ear while at 405 Stone Street Apt # 1 during a domestic incident. She was issued a criminal summons for City Court.
Curtis Dijon Dukes Jr (34) 208 Creekwood Drive Apt# 2B - Dukes was pulled over on the 100 block of W Lynde St and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree and operation of a motor vehicle without an inspection ticket. She was released at the scene with two appearance tickets for Watertown city court.
Tyrone Joshua Anthony Lewis Jr (40) 435 S Hycliff Apt 6 - Lewis was pulled over on the 700 block of Arsenal St. in the city and charged with operating a motor vehicle with registration suspended. He was processed at the scene and released with an appearance ticket for Watertown city court.
Benjamin Harrison Horn III (47) 164 Smith St - Horn was stopped on the 200 block of Washington Street and charged aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, operating a motor vehicle with no license, can failure to stop at a red light. He was issued two appearance tickets for Watertown city court.
Elvin Brandon Nieves (33) 25791 NYS RT 37 Apt. # 109 - Nieves is charged with assault and the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. Police reports state that Nieves possessed a machete with intent to use it unlawfully against the victim having previously been convicted of public lewdness on 4/3/25. The report States He also did strike the victim with the machete causing a deep laceration to the left wrist of the victim. He was arrested transported to PSB where he was processed and held pending arraignment for Watertown city court. The defendant does have a warrant out of Rome, New York however it is not extraditable.
Elvin Brandon Nieves (33) - Assault and the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree
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