WSSV News

A judge has rejected an effort by Saratoga Black Lives Matter’s co-founder to drop charges related to his alleged disruption of a city meeting. According to WNYT, Alexis A. Figuereo is accused of taking the microphone away from a speaker at the April 4 Saratoga Springs City Council and preventing the meeting from continuing. Figuereo was charged with misdemeanors of obstruction of governmental administration and a violation of disorderly conduct.

The relationship between two Saratoga Springs leaders does not appear to be any better. WNYT obtained a secret recording of a phone conversation between Mayor Ron Kim and Public Safety Commissioner James Montagnino.
The conversation was immediately after a shouting match in City Hall in May. Saratoga Springs Police caught it on body camera, and the department posted it on their Facebook page.

Anthony Cresser, 26, of Brunswick, was arrested and charged with three counts of Attempted Murder, three counts of Assault, Robbery, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. WNYT reports he allegedly stabbed three people Saturday evening at an apartment complex in Troy, State Police said.

A candidate for the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors has suggested the county and Capital District Transportation Authority partner to provide transportation to students in the county as a possibly remedy to the current bus driver shortage. The Daily Gazette reports Gordon Boyd, who is running to represent Saratoga Springs on the Board of Supervisors, is proposing that older students have bus passes to take a CDTA bus to school.

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.