News Staff

Saratoga is expecting more people than ever before for this weekend’s Travers Stake and city police department is taking steps to address public safety concerns ahead of the mid-summer derby. There are seven brand new patrol officers that recently graduated the police academy and ther are also two equine officers, and an additional canine officer this year to address safety concerns.

An Albany man was sentenced Wednesday for his role in a murder last year. According to WNYT, Serieon Bankston received 19 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision connected to the shooting death of Shawn Terry at the Red Carpet Inn on Northern Boulevard in Albany last September. He pleaded guilty in June to first-degree manslaughter.

Democrat Matt Castelli, a Glens Falls native, has declared victory in a battle to take on Rep. Elise Stefanik in the general election. According to WNYT, he was running against fellow Democrat Matt Purtorti. Both candidates in this race made it a point to not target each other, and rather both target Stefanik.

Incumbent Rep. Paul Tonko beat immigration attorney Rostislav Rar in the Democratic primary. WNYT reports Tonko now goes up against Republican Liz Joy, who Tonko defeated two years ago.

Ten new electric vehicle chargers are available in the parking lot of Milton Town Hall. Town hall is located at 503 Geyser Rd. WTEN reports drivers will pay 15 cents per kilowatt as town officials try to make it easier for community members to buy electric vehicles as they deal with high gas prices and climate change concerns.

It appears 41 apartments were lost in a fire at Valley Green Apartments in Troy over the weekend. The complex is near Hudson Valley Community College and many of the more than 30 people people displaced, take classes there.
Troy’s fire chief says there’s a lot of fire and smoke damage, but he doesn’t think the building will need to come down.

State Police of Mayfield responded to reports of two deceased people located in the water of Tenant Creek off Hope Falls Road in the town of Hope, NY. Troopers have identified the people found as Kaydee B. Lyons, 24, of Albany, NY, and Matthew A. Bank, 28, of Scotia, NY. The deaths are still under investigation, but the drownings appear to be accidental.

UAlbany police say a couple reported a young child was kidnapped in an armed robbery attempt on Monday. According to WNYT, thecouple pulled into the campus around 5:15 p.m. due to a flat fire and say two men approached their car, one displayed a gun and a child with them was kidnapped. The suspects placed the child on the side of the road a short time later, and drove away. Police say the victims are no longer cooperating.

A Malta man is behind bars on drug charges. WTEN reports 35 year old Shawn Finn is accused of being a meth dealer and was arrested recently. According to the sheriff’s office, Quinn was arraigned before different judges in Malta and WIlton before being remanded to Saratoga County Jail.

A house fire is under investigation in the Town of Clifton Park. According to WNYT, firefighters responded to a home on Carpenter Way at about 11 Saturday night and dealt with some water pressure issues. As crews were battling the flames, the roof started to cave-in. Everyone made it out, and no injuries were reported. No word on a cause.