WSSV News

Galway Central School District Superintendent Dr. Brita Donovan announced that Nicole Luft was appointed as the new principal for Joseph Henry Elementary School at its regular Board of Education meeting on Aug. 4. Luft will begin her new role on Thursday, Aug. 18th. The Saratogian reports Luft most recently served as principal of St. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam since 2018.

76 year old Marian Zdeb, who was being looked for by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s office has been found safe. WRGB reports she suffers from dementia and there were concerns she may need medical attention. She had last been seen at the intersection of Routes 236 and 146 in the town of Halfmoon, Saratoga County at 5:30 PM on Thursday. No word on where she was found.

The Saratoga Springs City Council unanimously supported a shared services agreement between the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Saratoga Springs Housing Authority (SSHA) at the August 2, 2022 city council meeting. The agreement would allow the SSHA to purchase excess quantities of salt and utilize the city operated fuel pumps at the DPW garage.

Fasig-Tipton’s annual Saratoga Sale of selected yearlings shows that the sixty-nine yearlings sold were one fewer than last year’s opening session, but Monday’s gross sales of $28,930,000 represented a 14.4 percent improvement over 2021. The average sale price of $419,875 was 16.3 percent higher than 2021’s opening-night figure of $361,143. The median price improved from $300,000 to $350,000 and the 19.8 percent of this year’s offerings that went unsold compared with 27.1 percent in 2021.

Saratoga County man is in jail after police say he hit and choked a baby. According to WNYT, 30 year old William Burden Jr., of Ballston injured a 1-year-old child. A Milton Town Court judge arraigned Burden on charges of second-degree assault and second-degree strangulation. Burden is in the Saratoga County Jail in lieu of bail.

A Westerlo man who pleaded guilty to killing a woman in a head-on crash is now back in court – this time, with a not guilty plea. According to WNYT, 43 year old Andrew Gibson was arraigned Tuesday after police say he did not show up for his sentencing back in February. As a part of his prior plea deal, he was expected to serve eight to 25 years in prison.

Staffing shortages at Saratoga Bridges, the county’s largest non profit human services agency. WNYT reports 200 or so individuals take part in the daily habilitation programs provided by the agency but since COVID, staffing has been an issue. Officials say at one time, 500 people worked there. Now, many of the desks remain empty after roughly 20% of the workforce vanished.

A Saratoga Racing favorite is returning back to the track. WRGB reports on Wednesday, August, 10, the Budweiser Clydesdales will be stationed inside select Saratoga admission gates to greet fans from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. That afternoon, a Budweiser Clydesdale will parade in the Paddock after the third race and visit the Winner’s Circle.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is focused on the Spotted Lanternfly and how it can damage the state’s agriculture. The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive pest that feeds on 70 plant species, including apple trees and hops. The pest has been located in all of New York City’s boroughs as well as other parts of the state. Officials want to spread awareness, so if it spreads throughout the state, it can be contained and won’t damage the local economy.

No word yet on a future court appearance for a Stillwater man who allegedly climbed into a house fully nude and tried to sexually abuse a woman who was in bed, asleep, next to her husband. 42 year old Nicholas P. Lesson scaled the outside of the house and broke in through a second-floor porch. Once inside, he allegedly made his move on the sleeping woman. The occupants chased him off and he was caught a short time later.