News Staff

DEC today announced the addition of 219 acres to the Middle Grove State Forest in the town of Milton, Saratoga County. The parcel, part of the former Camp Boyhaven, combined with adjoining multiple use parcels will create a new State Reforestation Area that establishes and maintains the forest for watershed protection, timber production, and public recreation. New York State purchased the parcel for $710,000 from landowner John Munter through the State’s Environmental Protection Fund. The acquisition will provide increased recreational opportunities for the public, expand wildlife habitat, support ecosystem health, and provide educational opportunities to landowners, forest professionals, and other visitors. While under private ownership, the land was host to forest ecology and silviculture logger training courses and provided foresters with training opportunities on White Pine Needle Disease.

A senior at Guilderland High School was killed early Sunday morning in a crash on the Northway, Superintendent Dr. Marie Wiles announced Sunday evening. WNYT reports 18-year-old Megi Hamza died after her car was hit just before 5:00 a.m. State Police say Hamza’s car broke down in the center lane just south of the Twin Bridges. A tractor-trailer stopped to help Hamza, and that’s when police say 72-year-old Timothy Murphy did not see her car and hit it while trying to avoid the tractor-trailer

A woman is accused of selling meth in Malta. Shari Stephens is facing several drug charges in connection with the case. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department reports she was arraigned and released

Saratoga County jury has found Chalmers Davis guilty of assault and attempted assault. According to WNYT, Davis stabbed one man and tried to stab another outside a bar on Caroline Street in Saratoga Springs in August. The jury rejected Davis’ notion that he was defending himself. When he’s sentenced May 18, he could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison.

Saratoga Springs Police have released photos of the suspect in a robbery at CVS on March 23. The photos also show the suspect’s vehicle. On Wednesday around 4:30 a.m. police received an emergency call for a robbery at CVS on Congress Street. The suspect is described as wearing a black coat, blank pants, a black face mask, and dark-colored sunglasses. You can see the images on the Saratoga Springs Police Department Facebook page.

A Cohoes man has been sentenced for intentionally setting an occupied residence on fire in April 2020. WTEN reports Kyle Pipino was sentenced to 15 years in prison. On April 21, 2020, four people were displaced after their home at 262 Remsen Street in Cohoes was destroyed by a fire. Everyone made it out safely except a cat. Police later determined that Pipino intentionally set the fire and tried to set fire to 256 Remsen Street as well.

Warren County Department of Public Works has unveiled a new online tool that will take a lot of the guessing out of the recycling process for residents. The county has added a new tool known as “Waste Wizard” (linked here: https://warrencountyny.gov/DPW/SolidWaste) to the county website, an easy-to-use search bar that will quickly give residents answers about whether a material can be recycled or tossed.

A man from Saratoga Springs is using his family’s home, car and pub in eastern Poland to help Ukrainian refugees. WNYT reports People around Saratoga have helped Adam Israel raise $30,000 so far, going directly to women and children escaping the war. Israel is in the process of making his fundraising more official, so he can continue to give direct aid to refugees as long as the war continues.

A man from Mechanicville will spend 30 years behind bars for sexually abusing children. WNYT reports 51 year old Gary Ryan, a former Saratoga County youth sports coach, was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty in federal court to transportation of minors to engage in sexual activity. Ryan admitted to assaulting boys as young as 5 on trips to Orlando, Boston and Las Vegas. He also admitted to giving the kids drugs and alcohol.

Reserved seats for the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course go on sale Wednesday. According to WNYT, on April 1, NYRA will start selling their season tickets for general admission. They will get you access to the track, but not a reserved seat. Ticket prices are up $10 from last year. It will be $60 for the grandstand and $85 for the clubhouse.