Uncategorized

The New York State Police will participate in a national crackdown on distracted driving as part of April’s National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The enforcement effort, called Operation Hang Up, will include increased patrols and checkpoints targeting drivers using electronic devices while behind the wheel. This year’s enforcement detail runs through Monday, April 11. Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving.

Hall-of-Fame thoroughbred trainer Bob Baffert is banned from New York racing through at least July 2. WNYT reports the New York State Gaming Commission made the announcement on Monday stating it will honor the 90-day suspension handed down by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission after Baffert’s horse, Medina Spirit, was disqualified from the Kentucky Derby for having a banned substance in his system.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Burnt Hills man for allegedly strangling someone. WNYT reports Todd Axton is facing several felony charges after an incident at a home last week involving a person who had an order of protection against him. Authorities also say they found several illegal guns at his home.

An African American family in Saratoga Springs is upset that the Saratoga Springs Police Department is not investigating an assault by three White men against their son. Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino is looking into the case. According to WNYT, the incident happened in early March at a house party with high school seniors. According to Montagnino, the public safety commissioner, an 18-year was assaulted and Montagnino says he is upset with how police handled the case.

State lawmakers and Gov. Kathy Hochul missed the April 1 state budget deadline. The final spending plan was due by midnight on March 31. The Sun Community News reports If the budget is not completed by 4 p.m. Monday, April 4, Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli warned two weeks ago that they would not be able to “complete paycheck distribution and release of direct deposit funds and advices” for state employees, though the State University of New York and the State Insurance Fund would not be affected due to the start date of their fiscal year in June.

Booster doses are free and widely available statewide, including at all state-run mass vaccination sites.
The State’s Department of Health released new clinical guidance on the administration of second booster doses for all providers enrolled in the New York State vaccination program. The guidance follows the Federal Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Emergency Use Authorization for a second booster and the updated recommendation from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to allow adults 50 years and older to receive a second booster of an mRNA vaccine at least four months after their first booster.

Brig. Gen. Denise Donnell on Saturday became the first female officer appointed to command the 5,900-member New York Air National Guard. WNYT reports Donnell, of Clifton Park, took over the aerial militia arm of the New York National Guard from Maj. Gen. Timothy LaBarge during a change of command ceremony at National Guard headquarters. LaBarge, who led the Air National Guard since 2018, retired.

A man from Saratoga County is accused of injuring an investigator with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office. According to WNYT, Joshua Allen was arrested Wednesday at his home in Providence after authorities say an investigator was questioning Allen about a separate case, and they got into an altercation. Allen is charged with felony assault and resisting arrest.

Impressions of Saratoga and Dark Horse Mercantile, both located on Broadway in Saratoga, designed two Ukraine-themed shirts and are sending the proceeds to the people of Ukraine through the International Red Cross. According to WNYT, one of the designs features a sunflower and each shirt comes with a packet of seeds.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office is recognizing “Autism Awareness Month.” WNYT reports sheriff’s patrol vehicles will display autism awareness magnets throughout April. A new program aims to improve the safety of people with autism or any other disability, by placing decals in windows of cars or homes.