WSSV News

The Saratoga County Fair came to a close with the final day of operation for the 2023 season on Sunday, July 23. Closing day was chalked full of shows, exhibits and activities for people of all ages to enjoy. The Saratogian reports all six days saw solid attendance, with about 15,000 fairgoers counted on Saturday alone.

People from around the Capital Region took a stroll throughout the Saratoga Springs spa complex on Sunday morning. WRGB reports starting in the Hall of Springs, tour goers were able to explore the history of the complex and learn about its great expansion as part of the weekly Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation’s Sunday Strolls series.

The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York filed a motion to ask the court to deny another request for a new trial by former NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere, saying it has “entirely no merit”. WNYT reports it’s the third request by Raniere for a new trial. Raniere claims there’s newly discovered evidence” that proves “the government manufactured child pornography and planted it on a computer hard drive to tie it to him.

Nearly 200 asylum seekers have arrived in Rotterdam this week, with several residents and local officials still searching for answers from New York City leaders and its relocation company, DocGo. WRGB reports on Tuesday, previous guests at the Super 8 hotel were removed with little notice, then three buses arrived on Tuesday evening, with another bus coming on Wednesday.

A Greenfield man was arrested following an investigation into illegal narcotics sales in the City of Saratoga Springs. Michael West, 37, was charged with numerous narcotics-related offenses. According to WTEN, the investigation lasted months. West was arraigned in the City Court of Saratoga Springs and released to pre-trial services with a future appearance date.

State Police of Saratoga arrested Nicholas C. Eckhardt, 41, of Rochester on a warrant for Disseminating Indecent Material to a Minors and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. On March 8, 2023, Troopers received information that an adult was having inappropriate communication with a child in Saratoga County, NY. The investigation determined Eckhardt reportedly had inappropriate sexual communications and disseminated indecent material to the child via social media platforms.

A group of 300 people learned Thursday their jobs have been eliminated in Saratoga and Washington counties. WNYT reports
Essity – a maker of hygiene products – announced that they’re shutting down all their operations in New York state. Their tissue manufacturing plant in South Glens Falls was immediately closed, while operations in Saratoga Springs and Greenwich will continue for some time.

The Rotterdam Police Department have announced 31 year old Anthony Lewis will faces charges for the murders of his mother and stepfather, found dead in their Fern Avenue home earlier this month. WRGB reports Lewis has been behind bars at the Carbon County Jail in Pennsylvania on unrelated charges since July 7th, the same day the victims, Cathy Guillaume and Robert Guillaume, were found.

From now until Labor Day, 300 horseshoes from retired racehorses are being hidden in Saratoga Springs as part of a new treasure hunt to foster excitement and community engagment. WTEN reports the group, Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes, teamed up with Saratoga-based artist Frankie Flores to give away a special artist-inspired golden horseshoe on Wednesday evening.

A Saratoga County couple pleaded guilty to fraud involving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. WTEN reports
53 year old Adesh Budhraj and his wife, 52 year old Deborah Budhraj of Ballston Lake, sold a business they owned in Schenectady and still filed for $558,000 in PPP loans after the sale, say authorities.