New York state briefs
High school searched
FAIRPORT - Sheriff's deputies were called to Fairport High School Thursday after a message threatening building damage was found scribbled in a student bathroom.
After a search, Principal Dave Paddock issued a memo to all parents at about 9:30 Thursday night saying the district was satisfied the incident had been resolved.
Clinton backs Chartered Bank in Utica
WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., expressed her support today for possible plans by Standard Chartered Bank to locate a new office in Utica, according to a news release from Clinton's office.
In a letter to Peter Sands, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank, Clinton urged that he give the city his full consideration as the decision-making process moves forward. Clinton also placed a call to Standard Chartered's Chairman Mervyn Davies to illustrate the advantages Utica has to offer such as a highly skilled and motivated work force, world-class colleges and universities, and a rich history and culture, the release stated.
"The prospect of bringing an international company like Standard Chartered Bank to Utica is an exciting opportunity for the city and the region," Clinton said. "The partnership would not only continue the economic growth of the area, it is also a chance to introduce the company to a unique New York community that has so much to offer."
The move by Standard Chartered Bank is expected to bring 300 jobs to the area if Utica is chosen as the new location. Newark, N.J. also is being considered.
Standard Chartered Bank is an international company headquartered in London with a network of more than1,400 branches in more than 50 countries across the Asia Pacific Region, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas
Feds help firefighters
EAST ROCHESTER - The sixth time is the charm for the East Rochester Fire Department. Members have succeeded in getting an Assistance to Firefighters grant for $109,312 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program to update safety gear for firefighters.
The federal share of the grant is $103,846. The village will put up the rest.
The major portion of the funding - $91,378 - will be used to buy new fire-retardant coats and pants, called turnout gear, said Chief John Alfieri.
The majority of the outfits being replaced are more than 10 years old. Alfieri said new recommendations coming out indicate they should be replaced every three to five years because the protective material breaks down.
He said the village has included money in its annual budgets to replace four or five sets. This year it can replace them all for the 56 members.
Sparky may hang it up
IRONDEQUOIT - Sparky will be fired up for Saturday's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Rochester.
The parade will mark the third, and possibly last, for Irondequoit's Kylee Nichols, 18, who dons a costume and appears with the St. Paul Boulevard Fire Department as Sparky, the Fire Safety Dog.
Floppy ears, spots, big nose, gear and all, Nichols says an advisor asked her to be Sparky three years ago, "and I just kind of jumped in." She also appears as Sparky in Irondequoit's Fourth of July parade, at departmental open houses and other special events.
Saturday's parade may be her last, since she's graduating from Irondequoit High School in June, and likely from the department's Explorer post, which she joined at age 14.
As soon as she graduates, she plans to apply to become a regular firefighter.
Fire damages Canastota facility
CANASTOTA -Canastota Fire Chief Bruce Chandler said the department is investigating the origin of a fire that damaged a portion of a recycling facility Thursday evening.
Chandler said the call was received at 7:55 p.m. for a fire at Prime Materials on Madison Boulevard.
When firefighters arrived they saw heavy smoke coming from the building.
Though no injuries occurred, Chandler said materials such as plastics made the fire more dangerous.
"Any fire is really dangerous, but we were dealing with different materials there," he said.
It took about two hours to control the fire, but several addition hours were spent doing overhaul and clearing hot spots.
Smoke spread throughout the factory, but the fire was contained to the south wall of the building.
Chandler said the second-shift workers were in the building but evacuated immediately,
Nine additional fire departments were called to assist.