4 WEEK IN REVIEW Route 50 Paving on Schedule
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BALLSTON SPA – If you were traveling along Route 50 between Saratoga Springs and Scotia, you may have noticed a little construction along with a bumpier ride the past few weeks. The roads beginning at the intersection of Route 50 and Route 67 were milled in anticipation of repaving and eventually widening the popular commuter route. The bulk of the work appears to be happening at night, with crews blocking off traffic in one direction for long stretches between Ballston Spa and Glenville. “Route 50 is being repaved and is scheduled for widening with a left turn lane installation,” said Bill Reynolds, public information officer for the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). “The left turn lane was scheduled to be installed before our contract was awarded. In the meantime, the remainder of this milled section is currently being repaved with expectations that paving will be completed by the end of this week.” According to Reynolds, the lefthand turn lane is scheduled to be placed at the intersection of Meadowbrook Court and Route 50 and McCrea Hill just south of Mourningkill Drive. The NYSDOT also has plans to pave Route 146 between Clifton Country Mall and Route 9 in the town of Halfmoon in Southern Saratoga
County, Balltown Road between the Rexford Bridge and Route 7 leading into Niskayuna and Route 9 North and Ballard Road off Exit 16 on the Northway. Reynolds added that another stretch of Route 50 in Schenectady County requires “bridge approach slab work” to address settlement issues and expects this construction to be done by the end of the year.
Intoxicated Man Drives Wrong Way up Caroline Street Bar District, Crashes SARATOGA SPRINGS – Authorities say a drunk driver heading the wrong way up Caroline Street nearly hit patrons and police officers during the early morning hours of August 18, eventually crashing into two cars, one of them being an unmarked police cruiser. After the crash, police say 22-year-old Joel Torres, of East Main Street in Schenectady, took off running. Torres faces 13 charges stemming from the incident, including the felony charge of first-degree reckless endangerment. Police say both they and other witnesses attempted to flag the driver down after he turned the wrong way up the first block of Caroline Street between Broadway and Putnam Avenue before they attempted to get out of harm’s way. He also received violation charges of driving at an unreasonable speed, driving the wrong way down a one-
SARATOGA
Week of August 24 - August 30, 2012 way street and failing to comply with a lawful order of police. Torres also allegedly struck an unmarked police car, but kept driving until he eventually crashed into another car, sending debris flying through the window of the Putnam Market. The damages resulted in a felony second-degree criminal mischief charge as well as a misdemeanor reckless driving charge. It was then, police say, Torres decided to flee the scene on foot. He was eventually apprehended near Long Alley after a brief struggle. This led to charges of resisting arrest and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, both misdemeanor charges. Torres initially claimed to be his brother, which garnered him a second-degree criminal impersonation charge, a misdemeanor. The driver then allegedly claimed he was injured in the accident, where was taken to the hospital. Once there, it was determined Torres was operating the vehicle while intoxicated and he was charged with DWI. Police then discovered that the car Torres had been driving was stolen and that Torres’ license had been suspended several times. He was charged with third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, a felony, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor. Police also charged Torres with failing to wear his seat belt. Torres was then remanded to
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Saratoga County Jail.
Attempted Robber Could Serve 15 Years BALLSTON SPA – A man faces up to 15 years in prison after coming clean about his attempt to rob a Burnt Hills Xtra Mart in May. Prosecutors say Clinton L. King of Route 50 in the town of Ballston pleaded guilty August 21 to firstdegree attempted robbery, a felony charge. King admitted to walking into the Xtra Mart around 4:30 in the afternoon and put a knife to a female cashier’s throat. He demanded money and threatened to take the woman hostage. The cashier was able to alert two men who were standing outside the convenience store as the knife began to leave marks on her neck. One of the men entered the store and approached King, who released the woman and made a break for the exit. King was chased by the two men before he was finally taken down in a backyard about a half-mile from the store. He originally faced charges of kidnapping and robbery. After his arrest it was revealed King is a “high-risk” level-3 sex offender after his conviction in 1997 for sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl in Oregon. King will be scheduled for sentencing October 16. He is currently in Saratoga County Jail.