Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, said today that he will again vote "yes" on the health care reform bill when it comes to an expected vote Sunday.

“After studying all the facts, I was presented with a simple choice: Do nothing and further burden our families and entrepreneurs, and allow our costs to spiral out of control, or take the first steps to reform our system in a way that will pay for itself and help America pull itself out of the recession," the congressman said in a statement. "I believe this moves our communities and America forward.”

Mr. Owens voted for the House health care bill shortly after taking office in a November special election. He replaced Rep. John M. McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor, who is now Army secretary.

To read more, visit the Times' "All Politics is Local" blog.

Union College maintained its season-long grip on St. Lawrence University, defeating the Saints 3-1 in the ECAC Hockey semifinals tonight at the Times Union Center in Albany.

Union's Adam Presizniuk delivered the game-winning goal midway through the third period to snap a 1-1 tie. Union's Mario Valery-Trabucco added an empty net goal late in the period to close out the game.

Derek Keller scored St. Lawrence's goal at 19 minutes, 35 seconds of the second period.

The Dutchmen won all three games they played against the Saints this season.

Union (21-11-6) advances to play Cornell in the conference final Saturday. St. Lawrence (19-15-7) will play Brown in the consolation game.

Potsdam, making its second appearance in the state boys basketball semifinals in the last seven years, fell to Burke Catholic, 70-59, today at the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens Falls.

The Sandstoners (21-3) last advanced to the Class B Final Four in 2003 when it also lost in the semifinals.

Burke Catholic (20-3) moves on to the final on Saturday night.