News Staff

A Cohoes man faces 25 years to life in prison, after he pleaded guilty to a murder charge. WRGB reports 26 year old Ahlaumion Hall pleaded guilty to one count of Murder. The initial indictment alleged that on or about May 26, 2022, in the area of 43 Quail Street in the City of Albany, Hall intentionally shot Charles Gibson Jr. to death during the commission of a robbery.

Rep. Elise Stefanik and Rep. Paul Tonko have introduced bipartisan legislation to enhance the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include all of Saratoga and Washington Counties. According to the Saratogian, the measure would expand opportunities for both counties to participate in federal grant programs, increase tourism, and support economic development in Washington and Saratoga Counties.

Jury selection is underway in the criminal trial of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin. McLaughlin was indicted on two charges in December 2021, including third degree grand larceny and first degree offering a false instrument for filing. According to WTEN, McLaughlin is accused of withdrawing $5,000 from his campaign fund to pay $3,500 in personal debts. He was a state assemblyman at the time.

The Saratoga County Department of Health reports between January 13 and January 18, 10 drug overdoses were reported. One person died. According to WNYT, the ages range from 17 to 41 and 60% of the patients were male. While the county hasn’t gotten lab results back yet on all the cases, opioids are suspected in most – if not all of them.

A man from Albany was sentenced in the death of 15 year old Destiny Greene. 20 year old Branden Rivera , was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. WNYT reports Greene was shot and killed during a botched robbery in downtown Albany in May 2021 that police say was a social media transaction gone wrong. Rivera’s attorney claimed he arranged the robbery, but is not the person who pulled the trigger.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $390 million has been awarded through bonds and subsidies to create or preserve more than 1,600 affordable, sustainable, and supportive homes across the state. $61.6 million is earmarked for Tait Lane Reserve in the city of Saratoga Springs. The project will create 202 affordable apartments across a combination of townhome and three-story walk-up buildings. There will be ten apartments reserved for individuals experiencing homelessness.

January 28th is reportedly the last day of business for the Eddie Bauer store in Saratoga. It’s been there for 20 years but like most brick and mortar stores, faces increased competition from online offerings. No specific reason for the closing is known at this time. Several local Eddie Bauer outlet locations remain in operation, including one in Lake George.

State Police of Wilton recently arrested Shannon A. Welch of Whitehall, N.Y. on two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia. Troopers stopped a vehicle on Butler Road in Moreau and the driver, identified as Welch, 38, had an active warrant for her arrest. When taken into custody, Welch possessed felony-weight narcotics and a digital scale.

A teacher from Averill Park High School is under arrest. WTEN reports 43 year old Peter Bertram of Nassau is charged with endangering the welfare of a child after investigators were contacted by a concerned individual who believed Bertram was having inappropriate contact with a child under the age of 17, and police determined he had sent that teen ndecent and sexually suggestive images and statements. The alleged victim is not a student at the school where Bertram teaches.

Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of a Saratoga County man accused of raping two girls, younger than 11. According to WNYT, 36 year old Nathaniel Bradford is facing a long list of charges. One victim reportedly told a friend, who told authorities.
Bradford faces up to life in prison if convicted.