WSSV News

A Brant Lake man faces charges after arriving drunk at Chestertown State Police to be processed for an arrest the day prior. Darren Alvaro, 47, was originally charged with unlawful dissemination of the publication of an intimate image. He was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated. He was processed for both arrests and issued appearance tickets to return to the courts later. He was released to a sober third party

Snake Hill, a 30-acre forested dome off of Saratoga Lake in Stillwater, was bought by Saratoga Preserving Land and Nature at the beginning of 2024 for $1 million. The non-profit community-based conservation organization is now deciding what to do with the land. Saratoga PLAN said they have learned about its native plants, wildlife, soil and geology. While they decide the land’s fate, Snake Hill is closed to the public.

A housing and support service organization opened new apartment homes in Saratoga County. Rise Housing and Support Services held a ribbon cutting this week. WTEN reports Rise has served those in need in Saratoga County since 1978 and on Thursday the non-profit expanded its reach by opening its doors to the Riverview Apartments to help combat homelessness.

Police have arrested a Mechanicville man for allegedly violating an order of protection for the second time in two months. According to WNYT, 37 year old Richard M. Bartis is accused of violating a stay-away order. This stemmed from an Aug. 12 incident in Halfmoon Town Park, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.

Two National Guard soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in March were honored at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday. WNYT reports Casey Frankoski and John Grassia III, a state trooper, died in the crash near the U.S. Mexico border. Jacob Pratt was severely injured and has had multiple surgeries and hospital stays before entering rehab.

A contractor from Voorheesville was arrested Aug. 14, after state police say he took a $20,000 deposit and did not start work on a project in Saratoga County. 63 year old Alan R. Livingston was charged with Grand Larceny. According to state police, on July 18, officers received a complaint from a Saratoga County resident advising a contractor had taken a more than $20,000 deposit, but failed to start the work.

It was a somber day at the Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday. Fans, jockeys and trainers paused to honor philanthropist John Hendrickson, who died unexpectedly on Monday. He was 59 years old. WNYT reports Hendrickson, the husband of the Queen of Saratoga Marylou Whitney, served as chair of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

A new cannabis dispensary has opened in Saratoga Springs. Silver Cannabis Company is the first of its kind in the city. WNYT reports the new dispensary is partnered with Silver Therapeutics, which also has several retail locations across Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine.

A Gansevoort man is accused of raping a child. WNYT reports Sunday morning, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office received a call requesting a check of a residence on Baker Driver in the town of Northumberland for a missing 12-year-old girl. The investigation led to the arrest of 32 year old Matthew Vargues on a charge of predatory sexual assault against a child.

The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Law and Finance Committee voted unanimously to purchase a building and land for Saratoga Springs’ first permanent Code Blue shelter. WTEN reports the property is located at 96 Ballston Avenue, across the street from Saratoga Plaza. It’s coming in with a price tag of nearly $3,000,000.