POTSDAM -- A Clarkson University professor has received a $200,978 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to research less expensive ways to extract ethanol from plants.

Clarkson chemistry professor Sergiy Minko received the three-year NSF grant for the study. He will be working with faculty from North Dakota State University, who received $309,357 from the NSF for their part of the research.

Minko said the key to the research will be to find a way to recycle an enzyme that is critical to the extraction process.

MASSENA – Democratic 122nd Assembly District Candidate Brian McGrath has been endorsed of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2032.

Local 2032 Business Manager, Mike Malek, said, “Brian is a fighter for the North Country’s best interest. He has the energy and drive to change business as usual in Albany, to support working men and women, to protect our jobs, and fight to bring new jobs to the North Country. We will work hard to ensure Brian wins on November 2,” he said.

SOUTH COLTON – A hunter safety course will be held at the Racquette Valley Fish and Game Club, Coldbrook Drive, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 22, and Oct. 23 from 8:30 a.m. until the course is completed.

Participants must be 12 years old or older to take the course.

Call Shirley Sochia at 262-2856 and leave your name and telephone number to save yourself a place. She will call you back if she cannot fit you in the class.

RUSSELL – The Russell Public Library will be having a Fall Dinner on Friday, Oct. 22 starting at 5 p.m. until all are served.

It will be a buffet style dinner with homemade pies for dessert. Tickets for adults are $7, 5 to 12 years are $5, under 5 yrs are free.

This dinner will be held in the community room attached to the library.

PARISHVILLE – The Parishville Hilltoppers will hold their Round and Square Halloween Dance from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 at the Parishville Firemen’s Hall, Rutmen Road.

Classic Country Band will provide music and refreshments will be served. A donation of $3 per person is requested. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes.

For more info, contact 384-4871.

State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine has received the support 1199 SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East, which represents more than 1,000 healthcare workers at hospitals in the 48th Senate District.

“I’m proud to have the support of these men and women in the SEIU who tend to our health care needs,” Sen. Aubertine said. “We continue to face budget deficits and I will not stop working for all of us to protect our health care needs and the working families who provide us all with great service every day.”

POTSDAM – The Potsdam Chamber of Commerce will honor Pam Yurgartis as its 2010 Commitment to the Community Award winner.

The award will be presented at the chamber’s annual dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at SUNY Potsdam’s Thatcher Hall.

Yurgartis has been part of many service organizations, including the Potsdam Parent Teacher Student Association, the Potsdam Public Library board, the Friends of the Potsdam Library, the Potsdam Holiday Fund, and Kiwanis.