'Divisive' Bill Targeting Asylum-Seekers Shot Down By County Lawmakers In Capital Region 'Divisive' Bill Targeting Asylum-Seekers Shot Down By County Lawmakers In Capital Region
'Divisive' Bill Targeting Asylum-Seekers Shot Down By County Lawmakers In Capital Region County lawmakers in the region have voted down a resolution that would have tracked the amount of public funds that are spent on migrants arriving from New York City. Following a lengthy debate Monday evening, Aug. 14, the Democrat-controlled Albany County Legislature rejected a bill introduced by Republicans that sought to document the financial impact of asylum-seekers, migrants, and those experiencing homelessness. The move failed by a vote of 23 to 9. Supporters had argued that the bill would improve transparency and better position Albany County to shoulder financial impacts in the fu…
'Closed For Business': Popular Restaurant Chain Shutters Capital Region Location 'Closed For Business': Popular Restaurant Chain Shutters Capital Region Location
'Closed For Business': Popular Restaurant Chain Shutters Capital Region Location A popular chain of restaurants serving up traditional American pub food has closed one of its locations in the region. Saratoga County’s 99 Restaurants, located in Clifton Park at 306 Clifton Park Center Road, was permanently shuttered on Monday, June 26. “Our restaurant is closed for business,” reads a recorded message when calling the location. The company did not provide a reason for the closure. According to several posts on the Clifton Park Neighbors Facebook group, all of the restaurant’s employees were offered positions at other 99 Restaurants locations in the Capital Region. “Tak…
Employee Steals Over $9,000 From Capital Region Business, Police Say Employee Steals Over $9,000 From Capital Region Business, Police Say
Employee Steals Over $9,000 From Capital Region Business, Police Say An employee is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a business in the region. Albany County resident Nicole Lynch, age 36, of Guilderland, was arrested Monday, June 26, following an investigation by New York State Police. Troopers were initially contacted on Thursday, June 22, with a complaint that an employee had stolen money from a Colonie business. Police did not name the business. An investigation found that Lynch, a manager at the company, had falsified business records on numerous occasions and stolen over $9,000 since May 2023. She is charged with the following: Third-de…
'I'm Devastated': Community Rallying For Capital Region Butcher Shop Destroyed By Fire 'I'm Devastated': Community Rallying For Capital Region Butcher Shop Destroyed By Fire
'I'm Devastated': Community Rallying For Capital Region Butcher Shop Destroyed By Fire A popular butcher shop in the region is vowing to bounce back after its building was destroyed in a fire. Albany County’s The Big Body Butcher Shop, located in Colonie on Central Avenue, was gutted when flames broke out sometime overnight Wednesday, June 7. It was not immediately clear what sparked the fire. “I put everything I had into this building/business and there's not much to show for it now,” owner Cody Shields wrote on Facebook the following morning. “I'm devastated to say the least.” The post was accompanied by two photos showing heavy damage to the ceiling, walls, and equipmen…
Man Killed In Two-Vehicle Crash In Capital Region Man Killed In Two-Vehicle Crash In Capital Region
Man Killed In Two-Vehicle Crash In Capital Region A 74-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a two-vehicle crash in the region. The Albany County wreck happened at around 1:40 p.m. Friday, June 9, in Colonie, on Crescent Road near Fonda Road. According to Colonie Police, Alexander Ortiz, age 74, of Hannacroix in Greene County, was driving his motorcycle eastbound on Crescent Road when he crossed into the oncoming lane. He then collided with a Nissan Altima and was ejected from the bike. The 21-year-old driver of the Nissan, who was not injured, called 911 and attempted to render aid to Ortiz, but he was ultimately pronounced dead at Albany…
Arson Spree: Suspect Nabbed In Series Of Fires In Region, Including One That Damaged Church Arson Spree: Suspect Nabbed In Series Of Fires In Region, Including One That Damaged Church
Arson Spree: Suspect Nabbed In Series Of Fires In Region, Including One That Damaged Church Police have arrested a suspect in a series of arson fires that were set in the region, including one that heavily damaged a church. In Albany County, police and fire crews in Colonie were called at around 12:30 a.m. Monday, June 5, with reports of a brush fire in the traffic roundabout at Albany Shaker and Maxwell roads. The fire left minor damage to a grassy area, according to the Colonie Police Department. Officers later located the suspect, 25-year-old Mark Marcus, of Albany, not far from the scene. According to investigators, Marcus intentionally started the fire, as well as several …
Hero Who Saved Man, Pet From Capital Region Fire As Teen Dies At Age 36: 'A True Friend' Hero Who Saved Man, Pet From Capital Region Fire As Teen Dies At Age 36: 'A True Friend'
Hero Who Saved Man, Pet From Capital Region Fire As Teen Dies At Age 36: 'A True Friend' Friends and loved ones are mourning the death of a man from the region who was once hailed as a hero for saving another man’s life. Rensselaer County resident Jacob Waldron, of Rensselaer, died in May 2023 at the age of 36, according to his obituary. An exact date and cause of death was not given. “It is with great sadness that Jake’s family announces the unexpected death of their beloved son and brother,” reads his memorial. Waldron graduated from Rensselaer High School in 2005 and later attended Hudson Valley Community College. In 2006, at the age of 19, the Rensselaer County Legislatur…
Migrant Crisis: Asylum Seekers Arrive In Capital Region From NYC Migrant Crisis: Asylum Seekers Arrive In Capital Region From NYC
Migrant Crisis: Asylum Seekers Arrive In Capital Region From NYC Dozens of asylum seekers have arrived in the Capital Region as part of New York City’s plan to temporarily house hundreds of migrants in hotels across the region. On Monday evening, May 29, a bus of approximately 40 male asylum seekers arrived at the Ramada Hotel in Albany, located on Watervliet Avenue, “at the direction of New York City,” a city spokesperson confirmed to Daily Voice. It came one day after a bus of another 40 asylum seekers arrived at the same hotel. Related Report: Dutchess County Granted Temporary Restraining Order Barring More Migrants A bus of approximately 25 as…
Hospital Standoff Suspect Killed Mom, Attempted To Murder Police Officers In Capital Region: DA Hospital Standoff Suspect Killed Mom, Attempted To Murder Police Officers In Capital Region: DA
Hospital Standoff Suspect Killed Mom, Attempted To Murder Police Officers In Capital Region: DA A man accused of threatening to shoot an employee before barricading himself inside a hospital in the region, sparking a nearly five-hour lockdown and police standoff, is now accused of killing his mother. Dino Savoca, age 61, of Colonie, appeared in an Albany County courtroom on Wednesday, May 10, on multiple charges including second-degree murder. Emergency crews in Albany were initially called at around 2:40 p.m. Monday, March 27, with reports that a person was armed with a handgun on the third floor of Albany Medical Center, located on New Scotland Avenue. Earlier Report: Suspect…
Attempted NY Child Rapist Drove 285 Miles For Sex With '13-Year-Old,' Police Say Attempted NY Child Rapist Drove 285 Miles For Sex With '13-Year-Old,' Police Say
Attempted NY Child Rapist Drove 285 Miles For Sex With '13-Year-Old,' Police Say An attempted child rapist avoided lockup after driving hundreds of miles to the region to have sex with who he thought was an underage teen, authorities said. Cary Youngs, age 28, of Hamburg in Erie County, in western New York, was arrested Thursday, April 27, in the Capital Region, in the Albany County town of Colonie, following a police pursuit that lasted nearly 15 minutes, according to state police. Investigators from the agency’s Computer Crimes Unit and Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, along with the FBI, determined that he drove from Buffalo to Colonie - a distance of 28…
Sheriff's Office Employee In Region Steals Over $68K To Feed Gambling Addiction, Police Say Sheriff's Office Employee In Region Steals Over $68K To Feed Gambling Addiction, Police Say
Sheriff's Office Employee In Region Steals Over $68K To Feed Gambling Addiction, Police Say A sheriff’s office employee in the region is facing criminal charges after allegedly embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from the department. Albany County resident John Cox, age 60, of Colonie, was arrested for grand larceny and forgery, Sheriff Craig Apple announced at a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 21. He has since been suspended. Cox, who serves as the head budget analyst for the Albany County Sheriff’s Office and runs the agency's business office, is accused of forging checks in Apple’s name and then depositing them into his personal bank accounts. BREAKING NEWS - Alban…
Wanted Man Fleeing Cops Dies After Crashing In Capital Region, Police Say Wanted Man Fleeing Cops Dies After Crashing In Capital Region, Police Say
Wanted Man Fleeing Cops Dies After Crashing In Capital Region, Police Say A 49-year-old man wanted by police died after leading troopers on a chase and crashing in the region, authorities said. The Albany County incident began at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, when troopers reportedly witnessed Jason Benn, of Cohoes, driving erratically in Albany, on Washington Avenue Extension. State Police said the vehicle matched the description of a vehicle that had been involved in an earlier police pursuit in Colonie. When troopers attempted to stop Benn, he refused to pull over, triggering a pursuit. During the chase, Benn struck multiple parked cars and police eve…