WSSV News

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a series of actions to combat the high number of car thefts, particularly of certain Kia and Hyundai model vehicles, in counties across New York State The actions include fast-tracking $50 million for law enforcement technology and equipment, $5 million to enhance youth justice alternatives and diversion programming for teenagers and young adults, and the launch of a public engagement campaign targeting vulnerable car owners.

A fire at a Schenectady apartment complex left 11 adults and 22 children displaced. WNYT reports the fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. Saturday at the South Gates Apartments in a building with 10 units. One person was treated at the hospital and released. The Red Cross is now helping the families with food, clothing, and shelter.

State Police arrested 28 year old Dakota Smith of Malta, NY, for Grand Larceny and Scheme to Defraud. Police say Smith, the owner of DAS Builders & Remodeling LLC., entered into an agreement with the victim to complete a home renovation project in November of 2022. Smith collected a deposit of more than $18,000 from the victim and failed to start the work or purchase the necessary materials for the project. He also was unable to return the victim’s deposit.

A South Glens Falls man is now charged with murder in connection with an Albany homicide. 20 year old Jeff pleaded not guilty on Thursday to one count of second-degree murder, and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the death of Benjamin Rowe back on June 25. Rowe was shot and killed near 503 Hamilton Street in the city of Albany.

A Saratoga County man was sentenced to 22 1/2 to 35 years in prison for driving drunk and causing the deadly crash that killed tow truck driver Alex Bleickhardt. WNYT reports Justin P. Rodriguez, of Moreau, crashed his truck into a box truck on the shoulder of the road on Sept. 15, 2022 in Wilton near Exit 16. The crash killed Alex Bleickhardt, of Pottersville, who was working underneath the vehicle.

In Saratoga Thursday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of improvements to Waterfront Park.
Improvements to Waterfront Park include handicap-accessible ramps and renovations to the bathrooms and gazebo. A new playground will also be installed next month. The public is welcome to attend the celebration that begins at 11:30 a.m. at 622-630 Crescent Avenue.

The Town of Halfmoon will commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Champlain Canal this Saturday with two new historic markers. The Daily Gazette reports the two markers, which were funded by grants from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, a national not-for-profit that supports the celebration of local community history, will be unveiled at a ribbon cutting on Saturday.

Wilton Town Hall was flooded with members of the community as many came out to make their voices heard at the recent Town Board Meeting. The Saratogian reports whether they were for or against it, the reason for this mass attendance was public comment around Solar Law and the vote to approve the Solar Array Code Amendment — which inevitably would end up passing unopposed.

Four Saratoga Springs City Council members have opted to back Kristen Dart for Public Safety Commissioner, continuing to show the clear divide among city council members and current Public Safety Commissioner Jim Montagnino. The Daily Gazette reports The announcement was made Tuesday morning in Congress Park in front of the bench dedicated to Dart’s grandfather, Clarence Dart Sr., who served with the Tuskegee Airmen.

A ribbon-cutting was held on Tuesday for the new Saratoga Senior Center. The chairman of Stewart’s Shops, Bill Dake, put $3 million into the new 14,000-square-foot facility off West Avenue, reports WNYT. It is more than twice the size of old space on William Street.