News Staff

Saratoga Springs City Hall was back open for business Wednesday after a battery charger in the 911 dispatch room caught fire. WNYT reports a dispatcher was about to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, but the fire caused the city council meeting to be adjourned. The same building was hit by lightning in 2018. The damage was so extensive the building had to close for nearly two years.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple says he’ll soon launch a run for the state Senate. The Times Union first reported, Sheriff Apple will announce a run for the new 43rd State Senate District, when the new district lines are finalized.
The paper reports Apple would remain sheriff while he campaigns.

The mayor of Saratoga Springs is ordering an investigation into his predecessor. According to WNYT,
Mayor Ron Kim alleges former Mayor Meg Kelly, and potentially other elected officials, improperly accessed a list of residents’ email addresses meant only for the city’s Recreation Department, and that those residents began to receive political emails.

There was a fire at Saratoga Springs City Hall Tuesday night. According to WNYT, at about 8 p.m., a battery charger in the 911 dispatch center caught fire and one of the dispatchers put out the flames with an extinguisher. Smoke was then blown out of the building and the city council meeting was adjourned because of the fire. No injuries reported.

State Police, in conjunction with the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, arrested Robert B. Ashe, 62, of Wynantskill NY for Official Misconduct. The investigation revealed that Ashe, while serving as the Chief of Police of the Hoosick Falls Police Department, stole evidence and then created paperwork to coverup the theft. On May 16, 2022, Ashe was convicted by plea of Official Misconduct in the Village of Hoosick Falls Court before Honorable Judge Thomas Restino Jr.

Sustainable Saratoga will be hosting the upcoming native plant sale and pollinator education event called Pollinator Palooza. The Saratogian reports the event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 5 at 390 Wilton-Gansevoort Rd. in Gansevoort. Organizers say growing native plants is a great way to help pollinators, but it can be difficult to find native plants locally

Still awaiting autopsy results in the deaths of two women last week in Mechanicville. Police said two women found at 10A South Central Avenue in Mechanicville on Wednesday, May 11 were mother and daughter. Donna M. Trombley, 73, and Paula L. Plasencia, 48, were the only people living at that address.

Still looking for a cause for a brush fire in Moreau State Park Friday evening. Several local departments to respond to the call. in an area known as the Big Bend Point. WNYT reports right now it is not known what caused the fire or if there were any injuries related to the blaze.

Saratoga will be joining Schenectady County in offering relief at the pump for motorists filling up. WRGB reports the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors has passed a gas sales tax for Saratoga County. The tax cap is aimed at taking effect on June 1st, and remains through the end of the year. Savings to consumers will be around $4 million.

A man accused of a vicious ax attack in Saratoga County pleaded late Thursday afternoon. According to WNYT, 20 year old
Justin Locke from Indian Lake pleaded guilty to one count of assault. Police say Locke went into someone’s apartment in Corinth and attacked the person with a tomahawk. Locke will be sentenced in July to 16 years in prison.