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NY Man Who 'Lived Large' Off $1 Million Ponzi Scheme Sentenced NY Man Who 'Lived Large' Off $1 Million Ponzi Scheme Sentenced
NY Man Who 'Lived Large' Off $1 Million Ponzi Scheme Sentenced A former New York investment broker has received a lengthy stay in prison for running a million-dollar Ponzi scheme. Long Island resident Rand Heckler, age 67, of Glen Cove, was sentenced to up to seven-and-a-half years in prison on Wednesday, May 15, the Nassau County District Attorney (NCDA) announced. Heckler was an investment broker in 2015 when he began his scheme, recommending that his friend and his friend’s son that they invest in a hedge fund of stocks and securities that Heckler was managing. Original Story - $1 Million Ponzi Scheme: Glen Cove Investment Broker Pleads …

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by Sophie Grieser
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Leandra's Law: Drunk 27-Year-Old Crashes In Capital Region With Child In Car, Police Say Leandra's Law: Drunk 27-Year-Old Crashes In Capital Region With Child In Car, Police Say
Leandra's Law: Drunk 27-Year-Old Crashes In Capital Region With Child In Car, Police Say A 27-year-old woman from the region is accused of causing a drunk-driving crash involving a child. The Saratoga County incident happened at around 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, in the town of Ballston. Sheriff’s officials said Haley Czwakiel, of Ballston Spa, had a blood alcohol content (BAC) greater than .08 percent when she caused a property damage crash on Saratoga Road. At the time of the crash, she was traveling with a child under the age of 15, deputies said. Neither Czwakiel nor the child were injured. Czwakiel was arrested on suspicion of aggravated DWI (felony) and operating a motor…

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by Michael Mashburn
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$3 Million Scheme: NY Financial Advisor Sentenced For Fraud $3 Million Scheme: NY Financial Advisor Sentenced For Fraud
$3 Million Scheme: NY Financial Advisor Sentenced For Fraud A New York financial advisor will be spending time behind bars after he admitted to defrauding a local bank out of millions. Long Island resident Gary Confredo, a 61-year-old from East Northport, received his sentence of 42 months on Tuesday, May 14, the United States Attorney's Office Eastern District of New York announced. Confredo, also known as Gary Conte, is the former operator of Goldstar Financial Management Corporation, a financial services business based in Commack. Original Story: East Northport Financial Advisor Admits To $3M Bank Loan Scheme However, between November…

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by Sophie Grieser
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28-Year-Old Father Killed, Second Victim Airlifted Following 2-Vehicle Pittstown Crash 28-Year-Old Father Killed, Second Victim Airlifted Following 2-Vehicle Pittstown Crash
Matthew Disorda, 28, Killed In SR67 Crash In Pittstown A young father was killed and another motorist was hospitalized with serious injuries following a two-vehicle crash in the region. The Rensselaer County wreck happened at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, on State Route 67 in Pittstown. New York State Police said a disabled vehicle was stopped in the eastbound lane after several people moved it from the shoulder, when a motorcycle heading eastbound crashed into it. Matthew Disorda, age 28, of Hoosick Falls, was ejected from the bike and died at the scene, police said. The collision pushed the disabled vehicle into its owner, who was sta…

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by Michael Mashburn
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'Connected By Evil': Unsolved Murders Of Teens Found In Capital Region Focus Of New Podcast 'Connected By Evil': Unsolved Murders Of Teens Found In Capital Region Focus Of New Podcast
'Connected By Evil': Unsolved Murders Of Teens Found In Capital Region Focus Of New Podcast An ex-cop turned podcaster is hoping to breathe new life into the cold case killings of two young women whose remains were discovered in upstate New York. On a recent episode of his true crime podcast, APB Cold Case, retired Costa Mesa, California police chief Mark Spawn discussed the murders of 18-year-old Jennifer Hammond and 19-year-old Christina White. The women disappeared in August 2003 and June 2005, respectively, and were last seen near mobile home parks in the Saratoga County town of Milton. According to New York State Police, Hammond, a native of Littleton, Colorado, was last see…

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by Michael Mashburn
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Northern Lights From Rare Solar Storm Could Be Visible Through Weekend Northern Lights From Rare Solar Storm Could Be Visible Through Weekend
Northern Lights From Rare Solar Storm Could Be Visible Through Weekend The northern lights produced by one of the strongest geomagnetic storms to hit the Earth in two decades could be visible throughout the weekend, and scientists are warning that the storm could disrupt electrical and communication systems. Although there were clouds around on Friday night, May 10, there were numerous reports from the region of spectacular aurora displays (known as the northern lights). Those displays will continue on Saturday, May 11, and Sunday, May 12, and possibly linger even longer. Severe Geomagnetic Storm conditions were first observed at Earth at 6:54 p.m. Eastern Ti…

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by Joe Lombardi
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Castleton-on-Hudson Child Predator Admits Blackmailing Kids Into Sending Nude Images Castleton-on-Hudson Child Predator Admits Blackmailing Kids Into Sending Nude Images
Castleton-on-Hudson Child Predator Admits Blackmailing Kids Into Sending Nude Images A convicted child sex abuser from the region will spend decades in federal prison after confessing that he blackmailed young kids into sending nude images. Rensselaer County resident Zachary Cota, age 31, of Castleton-on-Hudson, pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography in Albany federal court on Friday, May 10. According to prosecutors, Cota admitted to using SnapChat to get three children to send him nude photos. Two of the victims were 8 and 13 years old. Once the children provided the requested photos, he reportedly threatened to reveal what they had done in order to get more illic…

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by Michael Mashburn
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Check Your Fridge: Milk Sold In Capital Region Recalled Over Possible Health Risk Check Your Fridge: Milk Sold In Capital Region Recalled Over Possible Health Risk
Meadowbrook Farms Recalls Chocolate Milk Over Health Risk A family-owned farm is recalling one of its milk products that was widely sold in the region over a possible health risk. Meadowbrook Farms Dairy issued a recall for its pasteurized chocolate milk due to the milk being improperly pasteurized, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. State inspectors discovered the error during a routine inspection at the company's Allegany County facility in Clarksville. The recalled milk was sold across the Capital Region and was packaged in half gallon, glass containers that were processed on Wednesday, April 24. The af…

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by Michael Mashburn
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Second Rabid Fox Found In Region Second Rabid Fox Found In Region
Second Rabid Fox Found In Region A second rabid fox has been discovered in the region. The fox was found Wednesday, May 8, in Sullivan County in the town of Fremont. Related story: Wild Fox In Town Of Bethel Test Positive For Rabies According to the Sullivan County Department of Public Health, a dead baby fox (kit) in Fremont tested positive for the rabies virus.  People exposed to the baby are currently receiving appropriate treatment. Another rabid fox was found earlier in the week in the town of Bethel. The fox was euthanized, public health officials said.  Rabies occurs commonly throughout the stat…

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by Kathy Reakes
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Deputy Albany County Executive Busted Driving Drunk, Police Say Deputy Albany County Executive Busted Driving Drunk, Police Say
Albany Co. Deputy Exec Michael McLaughlin Faces DWI Charge A deputy county executive in the region is accused of driving drunk. Albany County Deputy Executive Michael McLaughlin was arrested on suspicion of DWI following a traffic stop in the town of Colonie on Wednesday, May 1. New York State Police said McLaughlin was stopped on I-87 at around 11:20 p.m. and refused to provide a sample to determine his blood alcohol content. He was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated and was released to a sober third party. Following the incident, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy issued a statement supporting McLaughlin. “Here in this countr…

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by Michael Mashburn
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Troy Man Sexually Assaults Paramedic At Albany VA Hospital, Feds Say Troy Man Sexually Assaults Paramedic At Albany VA Hospital, Feds Say
Man Sexually Assaults Paramedic At Albany VA Hospital: Feds A man from the region is facing federal charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a paramedic at a Veterans Affairs hospital. Rensselaer County resident Robert Seifert, age 65, of Troy, was arraigned in Albany federal court on Tuesday, April 9. Prosecutors said Seifert grabbed the paramedic’s breast and groin at the Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center.  It was not immediately clear when the alleged assault occurred. If convicted, he could spend up to two years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

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by Michael Mashburn
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New York Among Top 25 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why New York Among Top 25 Best States, Brand-New Ranking Says: Here's Why
New York Among Top 25 Best States: U.S. News & World Report New York continues to rank among the top 25 best states in the country. The Empire State came in at No. 23 – down slightly from No. 20 last year – on the 2024 Best States list by U.S. News & World Report, released Tuesday, May 7. Rankings were determined using 71 metrics across eight categories, including fiscal stability, infrastructure, education, health care, and the economy. Data was pulled from national surveys taken by nearly 70,000 people. New York made the top 10 for natural environment and health care, coming in at No. 5 and No. 8, respectively, while placing No. 12 in educat…

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by Michael Mashburn