Brookfield Power will lower water levels of the impoundment upstream of the Higley Dam on the Raquette River beginning early Thursday, Sept. 15.

The lowering below the dam’s crest is required to safely undertake routine inspections of power structures, according to Brookfield. Work is expected to be completed by Sunday evening, when refilling will begin.

Brookfield officials are urging the public to use extra caution when in, around or near the stretch of river during the period.

State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo (R-Rome) has renewed his call for the state to approve a ballot initiative to allow New Yorkers to vote on the expansion of casino gambling.

Griffo, whose district includes Massena, Potsdam and the eastern portion of St. Lawrence County, reiterated his message during a hearing of the Senate Standing Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering.

The committee is holding hearings this week, in Canandaigua, Albany and Long Island, to discuss creating legislation to expand casino gambling and the condition of the horse racing industry in New York.

CANTON -- The Hermon-DeKalb Teacher's Association will be holding its second annual HDTA C.A.R.E.S Golf Tournament at 11 a.m. Sept. 10 at Partridge Run Golf and Country Club, Sullivan Drive.

The tournament will follow a captain-and-crew format. The price of $260 per team includes 18 holes of golf, cart, and dinner upstairs at Dave's Bar in Canton.

There will be cash prizes, and big hole-in-one prizes sponsored by Blevins in Gouverneur.

MASSENA – The Massena Permanent Firefighters will present a “9/11 Run to Remember” Sunday, Sept. 11, starting at 9 a.m.

Race day registration starts at 8 a.m. Registration fee is $20.

T-shirts will be presented to the first 150 participants

The course will start and end at Massena Fire Station. The race will be professionally chip-timed

All race proceeds will benefit the Massena Permanent Firefighter's "Safe Home" and Fire Prevention Programs.

POTSDAM, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam men’s soccer team has announced the appointment of Alex Parker as the Bears’ assistant coach for the 2011 season.

CANTON, N.Y.—The SUNY Potsdam cross country team participated in the North Country Invitational at SUNY Canton this afternoon.

St. Lawrence University senior Steve Kiplagat made his 2011 cross country season debut in style on Wednesday, as the 2010 All-American won the North Country Five Meet in Canton, NY.

The North Country Five Meet is an annual men's and women's individual race between St. Lawrence, SUNY Canton, Clarkson University, Potsdam State and Paul Smith's College. 

St. Lawrence University rookie cross country runner Anne Martino won the 2011 North Country Five meet in Canton, NY on Wednesday.  Meanwhile, St. Lawrence had an impressive showing, taking the top nine spots in the event.

The North Country Five Meet is an annual men's and women's individual race between St. Lawrence, SUNY Canton, Clarkson University, Potsdam State and Paul Smith's College.