News Staff

Six dogs, four cats and two ferrets died in a Wednesday afternoon fire on Hidden Hollow Road in Bethlehem. WNYT reports no residents were home at the time and the fire does not appear to be suspicious. The Red Cross is helping the family who lives there as the search for a cause gets underway.

A full room of concerned Saratoga Central Catholic parents and residents gathered Monday night to call on Saratoga city leaders to reconsider placing a low barrier homeless shelter behind the school’s Broadway campus. According to WRGB, parents who organized the meeting and an online petition claim they’re concerned about the shelter being a low barrier facility, which would allow sex offenders and people on mind altering drugs like fentanyl.

A Malta woman faces felony charges, accused of setting fire to her duplex earlier this month. According to WRGB, on January 24, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Sarah N. Woody, 42, of Malta, charging her with Arson and Reckless Endangerment resulting from an incident on January 16th in which she allegedly set fire to her residence, a duplex, on Thimbleberry Road in the Town of Malta while the residents on the other side of the duplex were home.

A suspect wanted for allegedly cashing a check that didn’t belong to him has been identified. WNYT reports Hoosick Falls Police put out a photo over the weekend of a man they said cashed a check at the Trustco Bank on Main Street, for almost $4,000. The check belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
The incident is still under investigation.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that over $22 million has been awarded to support 21 projects across New York State through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.
The Town and Village of Stillwater intend to complete a BOA Plan for a 401-acre area that includes
waterfront property and the Village’s core business district including brownfield and underutilized
parcels. The Plan will promote economic development along the Route 4 corridor as well as the
Village’s downtown and waterfront, repurposing key sites to expand opportunities for walkable
mixed-use development, and increasing Hudson River waterfront access.

Dr. Atsuo Kuki, who has led Saranac Lake’s Trudeau Institute for the past six years, has left his position. According to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, the institute’s board of directors appointed Bill Chapin, the institute’s chief administrative officer and chief financial officer, as its interim director shortly after the new year. Kuki went on a leave of absence for personal reasons late last year. Then, a few weeks ago, informed the board that he would not be returning.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office say they responded to a snowmobile crash on Sacandaga Lake near Lunker Lane in Edinburg Saturday evening. According to WNYT, 20-year-old Garret Macintosh of Florida, NY was transported to Nathan Littauer Hospital by Edinburg EMS, but he was later pronounced dead. The investigation is still ongoing.

More than 100 people attended a Saratoga County Department of Health Naloxone Kit giveaway last weekend, equipping residents with resources needed to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses. WRGB reports the giveaway came as the County saw 10 overdoses in a 7 day stretch in January, and already in 2023 three people have died from suspected opioid overdoses. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office says in 2022, 10 people died from opioid overdoses in Saratoga County.

Discover Saratoga has announced the 24th annual Chowderfest, which is set to take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 11 at participating Saratoga County establishments. WTEN reports participants can pick up official Chowderfest Guides on the day of the event. Voting for the best place will take place online, with voting closing t 5 p.m. and winners being announced at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m

A jury has found Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin not guilty on all charges. WNYT reports the jury deliberated for about an hour before reaching the verdict Wednesday afternoon. McLaughlin was accused of using money from his 2017 campaign to reimburse a former staffer for a loan.