WSSV News

Dr. Atsuo Kuki, who has led Saranac Lake’s Trudeau Institute for the past six years, has left his position. According to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, the institute’s board of directors appointed Bill Chapin, the institute’s chief administrative officer and chief financial officer, as its interim director shortly after the new year. Kuki went on a leave of absence for personal reasons late last year. Then, a few weeks ago, informed the board that he would not be returning.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office say they responded to a snowmobile crash on Sacandaga Lake near Lunker Lane in Edinburg Saturday evening. According to WNYT, 20-year-old Garret Macintosh of Florida, NY was transported to Nathan Littauer Hospital by Edinburg EMS, but he was later pronounced dead. The investigation is still ongoing.

More than 100 people attended a Saratoga County Department of Health Naloxone Kit giveaway last weekend, equipping residents with resources needed to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses. WRGB reports the giveaway came as the County saw 10 overdoses in a 7 day stretch in January, and already in 2023 three people have died from suspected opioid overdoses. The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office says in 2022, 10 people died from opioid overdoses in Saratoga County.

Discover Saratoga has announced the 24th annual Chowderfest, which is set to take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 11 at participating Saratoga County establishments. WTEN reports participants can pick up official Chowderfest Guides on the day of the event. Voting for the best place will take place online, with voting closing t 5 p.m. and winners being announced at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m

A jury has found Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin not guilty on all charges. WNYT reports the jury deliberated for about an hour before reaching the verdict Wednesday afternoon. McLaughlin was accused of using money from his 2017 campaign to reimburse a former staffer for a loan.

A Cohoes man faces 25 years to life in prison, after he pleaded guilty to a murder charge. WRGB reports 26 year old Ahlaumion Hall pleaded guilty to one count of Murder. The initial indictment alleged that on or about May 26, 2022, in the area of 43 Quail Street in the City of Albany, Hall intentionally shot Charles Gibson Jr. to death during the commission of a robbery.

Rep. Elise Stefanik and Rep. Paul Tonko have introduced bipartisan legislation to enhance the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include all of Saratoga and Washington Counties. According to the Saratogian, the measure would expand opportunities for both counties to participate in federal grant programs, increase tourism, and support economic development in Washington and Saratoga Counties.

Jury selection is underway in the criminal trial of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin. McLaughlin was indicted on two charges in December 2021, including third degree grand larceny and first degree offering a false instrument for filing. According to WTEN, McLaughlin is accused of withdrawing $5,000 from his campaign fund to pay $3,500 in personal debts. He was a state assemblyman at the time.

The Saratoga County Department of Health reports between January 13 and January 18, 10 drug overdoses were reported. One person died. According to WNYT, the ages range from 17 to 41 and 60% of the patients were male. While the county hasn’t gotten lab results back yet on all the cases, opioids are suspected in most – if not all of them.

A man from Albany was sentenced in the death of 15 year old Destiny Greene. 20 year old Branden Rivera , was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison and five years of post-release supervision. WNYT reports Greene was shot and killed during a botched robbery in downtown Albany in May 2021 that police say was a social media transaction gone wrong. Rivera’s attorney claimed he arranged the robbery, but is not the person who pulled the trigger.