'Operation Pothole' Targeting Pesky Post-Winter Pits In Troy Roadways 'Operation Pothole' Targeting Pesky Post-Winter Pits In Troy Roadways
'Operation Pothole' Targeting Pesky Post-Winter Pits In Troy Roadways Now that spring’s knocking on the door, officials in the region have their sights set on those pesky potholes that popped up over winter. In Rensselaer County, “Troy’s Operation Pothole” officially got underway in Troy on Monday, March 18, to address potholes throughout the city. Over the next month, members of the city’s Quality of Life Action Task Force will drive up and down the streets, locating potholes and large cracks. Two teams will then blow out any debris and fill them with fresh asphalt. The paving schedule will be announced in the near future, city leaders said. “We are going…
Schenectady Man Who Confessed To Sexually Abusing Child Gets Over Decade In Prison Schenectady Man Who Confessed To Sexually Abusing Child Gets Over Decade In Prison
Schenectady Man Who Confessed To Sexually Abusing Child Gets Over Decade In Prison Over a decade behind bars awaits a man from the region who confessed to sexually abusing a young girl. Schenectady resident Juan Garcia-Pleitez, age 41, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Schenectady County Court on Wednesday, March 13. It followed his guilty plea to one count of criminal sexual act, a felony, in January. Prosecutors said Garcia-Pleitez engaged in anal sex with a child under the age of 13 who was known to him in August 2023. In a conversation with her mother on Aug. 3, 2023, the victim said that the man had abused her the day prior in the family’s attic. The mother i…
'Just The Beginning': Nation's First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm Completed Off NY Coast 'Just The Beginning': Nation's First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm Completed Off NY Coast
'Just The Beginning': Nation's First Utility-Scale Offshore Wind Farm Completed Off NY Coast If you’re reading this, there’s a possibility that the electricity to power your device came from the country’s first utility-scale offshore wind farm. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the South Fork Wind project on Thursday, March 14, capping off more than two years of construction that began in February 2022. As of Thursday, all 12 of the project’s offshore wind turbines were up and running roughly 35 miles off the coast of Long Island, delivering power to Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaways, the governor’s office said. Earlier Report: 'Momentous St…
National Guard Solider From Rensselaer ID'd As Sole Survivor Of Triple-Fatal Crash National Guard Solider From Rensselaer ID'd As Sole Survivor Of Triple-Fatal Crash
National Guard Solider From Rensselaer ID'd As Sole Survivor Of Triple-Fatal Crash The only survivor of a helicopter crash that killed three people has been identified as a National Guard soldier from New York. The incident happened around 2:50 p.m. Friday, March 8 while the UH-72 Lakota chopper was flying over the US-Mexico border near Rio Grande City, Texas, according to the Joint Task Force North. Capital Region native Jacob Pratt, of Rensselaer, suffered critical injuries and remains hospitalized. More than $102,000 has been raised from a total of over 1,100 separate donations in a GoFundMe fundraiser launched by the New York State Counc…
FDA Recalls Oysters After Norovirus Outbreak FDA Recalls Oysters After Norovirus Outbreak
FDA Recalls Oysters After Norovirus Outbreak The US Food and Drug Administration has recalled oysters grown and harvested in Connecticut following an outbreak of norovirus. In a notice on Thursday, March 14, the FDA said the outbreak was caused by oysters sold by Norwalk-based Norm Bloom and Son harvested in February. Although the FDA did not give many how many people were sickened, they did reveal the contaminated batch was associated with an outbreak in Minnesota. In the notice, the FDA warned consumers that the oysters were also sold to restaurants and retailers throughout Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryl…
State Worker Abused Disabled Client In Capital Region, Second Employee Covered It Up: Police State Worker Abused Disabled Client In Capital Region, Second Employee Covered It Up: Police
State Worker Abused Disabled Client In Capital Region, Second Employee Covered It Up: Police A state employee at a facility in the region is accused of abusing a developmentally disabled client before another worker attempted to cover it up, police said. Troopers in Saratoga County were called to the Department of Developmental Services Offices (DDSO) care facility on Alpine Meadows Road in Greenfield on Saturday, March 2, for a reported abuse. State Police said an investigation found that an employee, 53-year-old Sandra Villafane, struck and injured a non-verbal resident who is diagnosed with multiple developmental disabilities. Troopers also discovered that another employee, 37-…
2 People Exposed To Rabid Cow In Upstate NY 2 People Exposed To Rabid Cow In Upstate NY
2 People Exposed To Rabid Cow In Upstate NY A rare case of people being exposed to a cow with rabies occurred in a hamlet in upstate New York. It happened late last week in Lee Center, located near the city of Rome in Oneida County. The cow was sent to a New York State Department of Health center for testing and the test results came back positive, the Oneida County Health Department said.  Two people were exposed to the cow and have received post-exposure prophylaxis, the department said. Signs of rabies include: Animal acting strangely Animal acting mad Animal acting shy The animal may get unusually close Drooling or…
'Groomer' Admits Filming 12-Year-Old Girl In Bathroom, Buying Her Sex Toy: Schenectady DA 'Groomer' Admits Filming 12-Year-Old Girl In Bathroom, Buying Her Sex Toy: Schenectady DA
'Groomer' Admits Filming 12-Year-Old Girl In Bathroom, Buying Her Sex Toy: Schenectady DA A man from the region has confessed to secretly filming a 12-year-old girl in the bathroom and engaging in other “grooming” behaviors, prosecutors said. Schenectady County resident Ramar Martin, of Niskayuna, pleaded guilty to felony unlawful surveillance in Schenectady County Court on Monday, March 11. According to prosecutors, Niskayuna Police began investigating when the young victim, who is known to Martin, came forward with several disturbing accusations against the man, including that he had purchased her a sex toy and lingerie. The girl told police that Martin also spoke to her whil…
Update: Woman Found Dead At Troy Cemetery ID'd As 20-Year-Old Update: Woman Found Dead At Troy Cemetery ID'd As 20-Year-Old
Update: Woman Found Dead At Troy Cemetery ID'd As 20-Year-Old Authorities have identified a young woman who was found dead near a cemetery in the region. The discovery in Rensselaer County was made at around 6:15 p.m. Sunday, March 3 in Troy, just outside the Oakwood Cemetery. Troy Police said a passerby called 911 after spotting what they believed to be a body deep in a wooded area west of the cemetery entrance. Earlier Report: Woman's Body Found Near Cemetery In Troy On Tuesday, March 12, police identified the woman as 20-year-old Sierra Kautzman-Boehlke, of Troy.  Detectives said they’re still waiting on autopsy results, but they do no…
Albany Man ID'd As Victim In Deadly 2-Vehicle Crash Albany Man ID'd As Victim In Deadly 2-Vehicle Crash
Albany Man ID'd As Victim In Deadly 2-Vehicle Crash A 64-year-old man from the region has died following a two-vehicle crash in New Jersey. The wreck happened at around 5:45 p.m. Sunday, March 10, on Route 78 in Warren County. Carmen Berretta, of Albany, collided with another vehicle while driving eastbound on Route 78 in Pohatcong Township, authorities said. He was taken to St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem, where he was pronounced dead, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. The coroner's office and New Jersey State Police are investigating the crash.
'Most Visible Eclipse For US In 100 Years' Coming Soon: First Projected Cloud Cover Conditions 'Most Visible Eclipse For US In 100 Years' Coming Soon: First Projected Cloud Cover Conditions
'Most Visible Eclipse For US In 100 Years' Coming Soon: First Projected Cloud Cover Conditions In just over a month, what's being called the astronomy event of the decade will occur when a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and earth, completely blocking the face of the sun and the sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. Many are planning road trips to places where the best viewing conditions are expected for what space.com says will be "the longest and most visible for the US in 100 years," with a four-minute totality duration beginning…
Dismembered Remains Case: ID Released For 1 Of 2 NY Victims Dismembered Remains Case: ID Released For 1 Of 2 NY Victims
Dismembered Remains Case: ID Released For 1 Of 2 NY Victims For the first time, police have publicly identified one of two murder victims from Westchester County whose mutilated remains were found strewn across Long Island, reigniting the debate over bail reform laws. In an update to the case Monday, March 11, Suffolk County Police identified the female victim as 59-year-old Donna Conneely, whose last known address was in Yonkers. The identity of the male victim is still pending confirmation from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office. Earlier Report: Dismembering Dead Body Would Be Felony Under NY Bill Meant To Remedy 'Ill-Conceived D…