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Albany Times Union

Deadly Stabbing: New Details Released In Man's Killing At Capital Region Home Deadly Stabbing: New Details Released In Man's Killing At Capital Region Home
Deadly Stabbing: New Details Released In Man's Killing At Capital Region Home New details have emerged in the case of a 44-year-old man accused of stabbing his brother-in-law to death at a home in the region. Ashley Heshmat, of Albany, pleaded not guilty to a seven-count indictment including second-degree murder in Albany County Court on Wednesday, Jan. 24, in the death of Justin Bishop. Albany Police were called at around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, for a welfare check at a residence on Rose Court. Earlier Report: Man Murders 48-Year-Old Found Inside Albany Home, Police Say The caller told dispatchers that Bishop, who lived at the home with Heshmat, hadn’t…
Historic Election: Voters In This Capital Region Locale On Cusp Of Picking First Woman Mayor Historic Election: Voters In This Capital Region Locale On Cusp Of Picking First Woman Mayor
Historic Election: Voters In This Capital Region Locale On Cusp Of Picking First Woman Mayor It may be an off-year election, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. History is being made this Election Day as voters in one major city in the region are set to elect their first woman mayor. In Rensselaer County, the race for Troy mayor sees Republican city council president Carmella Mantello facing off against Democrat Rensselaer County legislative board member Nina Nichols. The winner will take over the position currently held by Democrat Patrick Madden, who is coming off his second four-year term, making him ineligible to run again. Mantello has spent the last eight years on the Troy C…
‘Especially Cruel’: Man Set Woman On Fire, Burned Second In Capital Region Attacks, Jury Finds ‘Especially Cruel’: Man Set Woman On Fire, Burned Second In Capital Region Attacks, Jury Finds
‘Especially Cruel’: Man Set Woman On Fire, Burned Second In Capital Region Attacks, Jury Finds A man from the region is facing decades in prison for trying to kill a woman by setting her on fire and seriously burning a second victim. Houston Ketter, age 41, of Albany, was found guilty of attempted murder and related charges by an Albany County jury on Monday Oct. 23. According to the district attorney’s office, Ketter “acted in an especially cruel and wanton manner” when he set the first victim on fire near Bradford and Robin streets in Albany on Nov. 13, 2022. After dousing the 38-year-old victim in charcoal lighter fluid, he set her on fire, the Albany Times Union reports. An eyew…
New Update: NY Kidnapping Suspect Probed In Murders Of Teenage Women, Report Says New Update: NY Kidnapping Suspect Probed In Murders Of Teenage Women, Report Says
New Update: NY Kidnapping Suspect Probed In Murders Of Teenage Women, Report Says The man accused of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from a New York campground is now being investigated for any connection to the unsolved murders of two young women who disappeared near his home, according to a new report. Craig Ross Jr. will be scrutinized for any possible link to the kidnapping and murders of 18-year-old Jennifer Hammond and 19-year-old Christina White, a Saratoga County Sheriff’s official told the Albany Times Union. Hammond and White disappeared in August 2003 and June 2005, respectively, and were last seen near mobile home parks in Milton, the same town where Ross has li…
NY Man's Stun Gun, Fire Death Prompts $20M Lawsuit Against Police: Report NY Man's Stun Gun, Fire Death Prompts $20M Lawsuit Against Police: Report
NY Man's Stun Gun, Fire Death Prompts $20M Lawsuit Against Police: Report A police department in New York is facing a federal lawsuit in connection with the death of a man who was hit with a TASER device and caught fire in the department’s lobby, WRGB reports. Greene County resident Jason Jones, of Catskill, voluntarily went to the Catskill Police Department on Oct. 30, 2021, and began arguing with officers, according to police. Surveillance footage later released by the New York Attorney General’s Office shows him removing his shirt and shoes before pouring hand sanitizer all over his body, including his hair and face. Moments later, an officer is seen deploy…
Watch: Viral Video Shows NY Turkey Trot Collision That Got Runner Disqualified Watch: Viral Video Shows NY Turkey Trot Collision That Got Runner Disqualified
Watch: Viral Video Shows NY Turkey Trot Collision That Got Runner Disqualified A runner has been disqualified following a collision at a turkey trot in upstate New York that has since gone viral on social media. The Thanksgiving Day incident occurred Thursday, Nov. 24, in Rensselaer County, at the Troy Turkey Trot 10K race in Troy. Video posted on Twitter shows Xavier Salvador, of Washington, DC, and Jack Huber, of Delmar, vying hard for 4th place as they approach the finish line. The pair are seen nearly shoulder to shoulder as they near the end of the race, when Salvador suddenly veers to his right, colliding with Huber, who had tried to pass on the same side. …
Police Responding To Shooting In Capital Region Find Male Victim Lying In Street (Developing) Police Responding To Shooting In Capital Region Find Male Victim Lying In Street (Developing)
Police Responding To Shooting In Capital Region Find Male Victim Lying In Street (Developing) Police are investigating after a man was found shot in the Capital Region Wednesday, Nov. 23. Schenectady Police were called at around 12:30 p.m. with reports of shots fired near Odell Street and Brandywine Avenue. When officers arrived, they found a male victim lying in the street, police said. Investigators did not immediately provide an update on the man’s condition, but the Albany Times Union reports the victim died from his injuries and was seen covered in a white sheet. Police described the scene as “very active” with no suspects having been arrested as of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Inv…
4 Charged In Shooting Death Of Pregnant Mother Of 2, Aspiring Nurse In Capital Region 4 Charged In Shooting Death Of Pregnant Mother Of 2, Aspiring Nurse In Capital Region
4 Charged In Shooting Death Of Pregnant Mother Of 2, Aspiring Nurse In Capital Region Formal charges have been filed against four defendants who are accused of gunning down a pregnant mother of two and aspiring nurse from the region. Shanita Thomas, of Albany, was shot and killed on Saturday Jan. 30, 2021 at a business near Central Avenue and Robin Street, according to the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. She was 35 years old. At the time of her killing, which also claimed the life of her unborn child, Thomas was attending a grand opening party for a friend’s business, the Albany Times Union reports.  Four other people were wounded in the shooting, police sai…
'Well-Respected' Firefighter, EMT From Capital Region Dies At Age 21 'Well-Respected' Firefighter, EMT From Capital Region Dies At Age 21
'Well-Respected' Firefighter, EMT From Capital Region Dies At Age 21 First responders across the Capital Region are mourning the loss of a young EMT and firefighter following his sudden death. Albany County resident Ryan Gagliardi, a 1st Lieutenant with the Fuller Road Volunteer Fire Department in Colonie, died unexpectedly Monday, Sept. 26, at the age of 21, according to Malta-Stillwater EMS. “Ryan had been a valued member of MSEMS since February 2020,” the agency wrote on Facebook. “He was a well-respected EMT and a damn good friend! We will all miss him more than words can express.” It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of th…
'Heavy Heart': Popular Capital District Restaurant Closing After 26 Years In Business 'Heavy Heart': Popular Capital District Restaurant Closing After 26 Years In Business
'Heavy Heart': Popular Capital District Restaurant Closing After 26 Years In Business After nearly three decades in business, a popular Capital District restaurant is closing its doors for good. Colonie eatery TJ’s Cafe made the announcement Friday, July 15, in a Facebook post that had garnered hundreds of comments and reactions just hours later. “To our valued customers, dear friends, family, and customers who have become friends and family... it is with a heavy heart that I must announce the closing of TJ's Café after almost 26 years in business,” owner Todd Leach wrote. The 55-year-old owner and chef cited “economic forces” for the closing, saying the cost of goods, sup…
NY TV Anchor Suspended After Appearing Out Of Sorts On Air NY TV Anchor Suspended After Appearing Out Of Sorts On Air
NY TV Anchor Suspended After Appearing Out Of Sorts On Air A weekend news anchor in New York has been taken off the air after appearing disheveled and slurring her words during a live broadcast that left many viewers stunned and concerned. The now-viral performance happened during CBS 6 in Albany's  6 p.m. broadcast on Saturday, July 9. Video posted on Mediaite shows Heather Kovar appearing frazzled right from the start, struggling to get through a story about a natural gas explosion in Oklahoma. Viewers expressing concern over train wreck of local evening newscast out of Albany. Anchor Heather Kovar appeared disheveled, misspoke, and slurred …
Capital District Shooting Victim ID'd As Music Entrepreneur With 'Kind Heart' Capital District Shooting Victim ID'd As Music Entrepreneur With 'Kind Heart'
Capital District Shooting Victim ID'd As Music Entrepreneur With 'Kind Heart' Authorities have identified a 27-year-old Capital District woman who was fatally shot in broad daylight in Albany. Dominique Eley, of Albany, was found at around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, near North Pearl Street and Livingston Avenue, according to Albany Police. She had been shot multiple times in the torso, police said. Earlier report: Police Seek Tips After Woman Fatally Shot In Albany Medics treated Eley at the scene, but she was later pronounced dead at Albany Medical Center Hospital. So far police have made no arrests and are still working to determine what led up to the shooti…
Murder Suspect Accused Of Setting Fire To Capital District Business Murder Suspect Accused Of Setting Fire To Capital District Business
Murder Suspect Accused Of Setting Fire To Capital District Business A man already jailed on murder charges has been accused of setting fire to a Capital District business in 2017. Saratoga County Sheriff’s deputies began investigating after someone broke into Curtis Lumber on State Route 67 in the Town of Ballston after the business closed on Nov. 27, 2017. The suspect spent hours on the property sabotaging electrical and gas systems in several buildings, damaging computer systems, and tampering with the 911 system on a Verizon Wireless tower located on the property, according to police. He also set fire to a storage building that was filled with sub-floor…
'Always Smiling': Hundreds Turn Out To Honor Teen Who Drowned In Hudson River 'Always Smiling': Hundreds Turn Out To Honor Teen Who Drowned In Hudson River
'Always Smiling': Hundreds Turn Out To Honor Teen Who Drowned In Hudson River Matthew Billetts died doing what he loved most: fishing. The Albany-area high school student died Monday, June 13, at the age of 16 after falling into the Hudson River at Hudson Shores Park, according to Watervliet Police. Billetts, a Watervliet High School junior who had a rare form of epilepsy called sunflower syndrome, suffered a seizure and lost consciousness before falling into the water and drowning, his family told the Albany Times Union. Earlier report: Watervliet HS Student Dies After Falling Into Hudson River A dive team located the boy a short time later and tried resuscitatin…
Cops Posed As TV News Crew To End Capital District Hostage Situation Cops Posed As TV News Crew To End Capital District Hostage Situation
Cops Posed As TV News Crew To End Capital District Hostage Situation A hostage situation at a New York gas station finally ended after police posed as a TV news crew and pretended to interview the suspect, News10 ABC in Albany reports. Troy Police were called to the Stewart’s Shops convenience store on Vandenburgh Avenue at around 11:15 p.m. Thursday, June 2, with reports of a hostage situation, police said. When officers arrived, they said they found heavy damage to the front of the building and two male employees and one male suspect inside. The suspect was standing behind a counter holding what appeared to be a knife to the throat of one employee, polic…
Groundbreaking CBS6 Reporter Ken Screven Dies Groundbreaking CBS6 Reporter Ken Screven Dies
Groundbreaking CBS6 Reporter Ken Screven Dies Longtime CBS6-WRGB reporter Ken Screven has died, the station reports. The first Black man to work as a reporter for a Capital District television station, Screven, who was 72, joined the CBS6 team in 1977. “As a Black man on TV in Albany in the early 70's, Ken was a trailblazer with a conscience. He even profiled his own family history in the deep south where his great grandfather was a slave,” the outlet said. After retiring in 2011, Screven found more success writing a popular blog for the Albany Times Union, where he “denounced racism, bias, and bigotry in their many forms,” according …
Report: Mom Accuses Cop Who Tackled Autistic Son At Clifton Park Target Of Racial Profiling Report: Mom Accuses Cop Who Tackled Autistic Son At Clifton Park Target Of Racial Profiling
Report: Mom Accuses Cop Who Tackled Autistic Son At Clifton Park Target Of Racial Profiling A New York woman claims a Saratoga County sheriff’s deputy racially profiled her Black, autistic son before tackling him at a Target store, the Albany Times Union reports. Chante Ware told the outlet her 14-year-old son was at the store in Clifton Park on Crossing Boulevard Monday, April 18, waiting for his siblings and cousins to check out, when the deputy detained him for no reason. The chaotic scene that followed was captured on video by a bystander and shared online by Saratoga Black Lives Matter. It’s since gone viral online, with many viewers outraged at how the situation was handled…
'What He Did To Me Was A Crime': Ex-Cuomo Aide Goes Public After Filing Complaint With Sheriff 'What He Did To Me Was A Crime': Ex-Cuomo Aide Goes Public After Filing Complaint With Sheriff
'What He Did To Me Was A Crime': Ex-Cuomo Aide Goes Public After Filing Complaint With Sheriff A former aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo who has alleged he groped her has come forward with her first public interview since criminal charges were filed with the Albany Sheriff's Office. Brittany Commisso, formerly known as “Executive Assistant #1,” age 32, has just spoken to the Albany Times Union and “CBS This Morning," revealing her identity after claiming that the governor groped her and kissed her on the lips. During the interviews, Commisso said that what happened to her “was a crime,” which prompted her to file a criminal complaint against the 63-year-old Cuomo last week, ca…
Treasure Believed To Be Buried By NY Mobster Could Be Worth $100 Million, Report Says Treasure Believed To Be Buried By NY Mobster Could Be Worth $100 Million, Report Says
Treasure Believed To Be Buried By NY Mobster Could Be Worth $100 Million, Report Says A legendary treasure that was believed to be buried by a mobster in the 1930s in upstate New York could be worth tens of millions of dollars. The Albany Times Union reported that Dutch Schultz, whose real name was Arthur Flegenheimer, was a well-known bootlegger and racketeer in the Hudson Valley and Catskills area. After Schultz was shot in Newark, New Jersey in 1935, he said odd phrases on his deathbed that many believed were coded references to the town of Phoenicia in the Catskills, the Times Union said. Schultz is believed to have hidden a combination of paper money, gold co…
New Film Studio To Open In Hudson Valley New Film Studio To Open In Hudson Valley
New Film Studio To Open In Hudson Valley A new film studio is reportedly going to open in the Hudson Valley. The Albany Times Union reported that the studio will be built in Dutchess County at iPark 84 in East Fishkill, and the official announcement will be made on Saturday, July 31. IPark 84 is located at the I-84 Exit 50.  The news outlet said existing parts of iPark will be used for the new studio, and there will also be a custom build that will include brand new sound stages.  The news comes as construction is underway for a $100 million Lionsgate film studio that will open in Yonkers. That project was ann…
Aide Gives New, Detailed Account Of Alleged Cuomo Groping Incident At Executive Mansion Aide Gives New, Detailed Account Of Alleged Cuomo Groping Incident At Executive Mansion
Aide Gives New, Detailed Account Of Alleged Cuomo Groping Incident At Executive Mansion A female staff member who alleges that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo groped her inside the Executive Mansion in Albany has come forward publicly for the first time, alleging that she was groomed over more than two years and instructed to say silent about her interactions with him, according to a new report. Speaking anonymously, the aide - who is one of 10 women to accuse the governor of sexual harassment or inappropriate touching - offered new details of what went on with Cuomo, who she alleges instructed her to keep her mouth shut about it, knowing that she was a “liability” to his administra…
Reports: 'Phone Issues' Used As Reason For Cuomo To Get Close To Two Sexual Harassment Accusers Reports: 'Phone Issues' Used As Reason For Cuomo To Get Close To Two Sexual Harassment Accusers
Reports: 'Phone Issues' Used As Reason For Cuomo To Get Close To Two Sexual Harassment Accusers New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reportedly claimed that he was having technical difficulties with his phone to isolate at least two of his sexual harassment accusers. According to a new report that came out over the weekend, Cuomo, 63, said that he needed tech help to get close to two of the women who accused him of sexual harassment and misconduct. Both former staff member Charlotte Bennett and an unnamed woman who alleged that Cuomo reached up her shirt and groped her said that they were summoned into a one-on-one situation, where Cuomo requested help resolving tech issues with his smartphone.…
'I Don't Like What He's Going Through': Mom Comes To Cuomo's Defense 'I Don't Like What He's Going Through': Mom Comes To Cuomo's Defense
'I Don't Like What He's Going Through': Mom Comes To Cuomo's Defense Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s family is going to bat for him as he faces mounting pressure from both sides of the aisle following his COVID-19 nursing home scandal and multiple claims of sexual harassment. Cuomo’s mother, Matilda Cuomo, for the former First Lady of New York, and his sister, Maria Cuomo Cole, both defended the embattled governor in a recently released report. “I have always had the utmost admiration for Andrew, and I still do,” the 89-year-old Matilda said in the Albany Times Union. “He is my son and I don’t like what he is going through.” Cuomo’s sister, Maria Cuomo Cole added …
Cuomo Denies Woman's Claim He Groped Her At Executive Mansion Cuomo Denies Woman's Claim He Groped Her At Executive Mansion
Cuomo Denies Woman's Claim He Groped Her At Executive Mansion New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has denied allegations that he groped a woman at the Executive Mansion following reports that he sexually harassed another woman, calling the claims “gut-wrenching.” This week, new accusations of sexual harassment against the governor were made, with one report alleging that he reached under a staff member’s shirt and fondled her. Original story - Most Serious Sexual Abuse Accusation Against Cuomo Emerges As Ex-Aide Alleges Groping According to the Albany Times Union, the woman has not filed a formal complaint with the governor’s office.  During a Wednesda…
Most Serious Sexual Abuse Accusation Against Cuomo Emerges As Ex-Aide Alleges Groping Most Serious Sexual Abuse Accusation Against Cuomo Emerges As Ex-Aide Alleges Groping
Most Serious Sexual Abuse Accusation Against Cuomo Emerges As Ex-Aide Alleges Groping A much-younger woman who was summoned to Andrew Cuomo's executive mansion in Albany to fix a problem with his cellphone was aggressively sexually assaulted by the New York governor, according to a brand-new report. Cuomo, age 63, has now been accused by six women of inappropriate actions while in office, including several former and now current members of his administration, but this new allegation is the most serious. The latest report was published Wednesday, March 10 by the Albany Times Union, which said that the woman told him to stop after he allegedly reached under the aide’s blouse a…
Sixth Woman Comes Forward With Sexual Harassment Claim Against Cuomo Sixth Woman Comes Forward With Sexual Harassment Claim Against Cuomo
Sixth Woman Comes Forward With Sexual Harassment Claim Against Cuomo Another woman - this time a current staff member - has come forward and accused New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo of inappropriate behavior, according to a new report released on Tuesday. Cuomo has now been accused by six women of inappropriate actions while in office, including several former and now current members of his administration. The sixth accuser told associates that Cuomo touched her inappropriately last year inside the governor’s mansion after she was beckoned there on official business, the Albany Times Union reported on Tuesday, March 9. The woman’s name is currently being withheld…
'Cuomo Must Resign,' NY State Senate's Top Democrat Says 'Cuomo Must Resign,' NY State Senate's Top Democrat Says
'Cuomo Must Resign,' NY State Senate's Top Democrat Says Andrew Cuomo's hopes of serving out his third term as New York governor have taken a dramatic turn for the worse in the last 24 hours. First, two more women, both former aides, came forward with new allegations of sexual misconduct against Cuomo, bringing the number of women who have accused Cuomo of sexual harassment to five. Now, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) has said she's seen enough and has called on Cuomo to resign. "Every day there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government," Stewart-Cousins said in a statement released …
Accused Again: Two More Ex-Cuomo Aides Make Sexual Misconduct Allegations Accused Again: Two More Ex-Cuomo Aides Make Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Accused Again: Two More Ex-Cuomo Aides Make Sexual Misconduct Allegations Two more former aides to Andrew Cuomo are accusing him of sexual misconduct, bringing the number of women who have publically said they were sexually harassed by the New York governor to five. Ana Liss, who was Cuomo's policy and operations aide between 2013 and 2015, said he kissed her hand, touched her on her lower back, called her sweetheart, and asked if she had a boyfriend. The 35-year-old Liss made her allegations in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Another former aide, Karen Hinton, said Cuomo summoned her to a hotel room, pulled her towards him, and held her in 2…
Cuomo Comment On Percoco Prompts Preet Bharara To Draw Parallel Between Governor, Trump Cuomo Comment On Percoco Prompts Preet Bharara To Draw Parallel Between Governor, Trump
Cuomo Comment On Percoco Prompts Preet Bharara To Draw Parallel Between Governor, Trump Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara drew parallels between New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and President Donald Trump during an interview promoting his new book "Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law.” In the interview with the Albany Times-Union, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York touched on several topics, including Joseph Percoco, a former top aide to Cuomo from Northern Westchester who was sentenced to prison time on corruption charges. A South Salem resident, Percoco was convicted of accepting $300,000 in bribes from…
DA Joins FBI Probe Of Hudson Valley Company, Major Cuomo Donor DA Joins FBI Probe Of Hudson Valley Company, Major Cuomo Donor
DA Joins FBI Probe Of Hudson Valley Company, Major Cuomo Donor The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has joined the FBI probe into a Hudson Valley healthcare company that received more than $25 million in grants after donating to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign. Orange County-based Crystal Run Healthcare, which received $25.4 million in taxpayer money after doctors and administrators gave more than $400,000 in funds to the campaign in 2013, is being probed, first by a grand jury, then by the FBI.  A report from the Albany Times Union stated that Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler’s office is providing personnel to assist in the …
Hudson Valley Company, Major Cuomo Donor Under Investigation By Feds Hudson Valley Company, Major Cuomo Donor Under Investigation By Feds
Hudson Valley Company, Major Cuomo Donor Under Investigation By Feds A Hudson Valley healthcare company that received more than $25 million in grants after donating to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign is being investigated by a federal grand jury, according to reports released this week. Orange County-based Crystal Run Healthcare, which received $25.4 million in taxpayer money after doctors and administrators gave more than $400,000 in funds to the campaign in 2013, is being probed, according to a report from the Albany Times Union. The report notes that grand jury subpoenas are also seeking testimony from “multiple” employees at the company, which is on…