A Frankfort woman has been arrested and indicted after she allegedly helped Joseph Hess evade police after he ran over an elderly woman in October.
Lanessa Stewart, 36, was arrested by The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on March 26. She has been indicted on charges of felony 2nd degree hindering prosecution after she allegedly helped Hess evade law enforcement.
Hess, 32 was arrested by U.S. Marshalls back on October 21 after a five-day manhunt that ended in a motel just outside of Philadelphia, PA. He had been on the run since October 16 when he struck an elderly woman with a stolen car in a McDonald’s parking lot in Ballston Spa after stealing her purse.
The victim suffered a compound leg fracture in the incident and had to be treated at Albany Medical Center due to the injuries.
“Those who assist individuals in evading law enforcement, particularly in the aftermath of a violent felony, will be held accountable,” said District Attorney Brett Eby in a press release. “Our office remains committed to ensuring that anyone who obstructs justice or aids offenders in avoiding apprehension faces appropriate consequences under the law.”
It’s unclear what specific assistance Stewart provided Hess. A review of the indictment only said what she was charged with and when asked about the case, Eby only said that she helped Hess evade capture.
Stewart was arraigned in the Saratoga County Court and was released to pretrial services. She is due in court on April 16. Hess, meanwhile, was charged with first degree robbery, assault and other offenses. He is due back in court on April 13.
Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake), chair of the Racing and Wagering Committee, announced she helped bring forward and pass in the Assembly a package of bills to promote safe, responsible gambling.
“This weighty package of six bills, plus a resolution designating March as Problem Gambling Month, comes out of a legislative oversight hearing the committee held last year, establishes a framework of critical guardrails for mobile sports gaming, and ensures the health and safety of its participants are prioritized,” said Woerner.
Woerner’s legislation fills in regulatory gaps and protects vulnerable consumers by tightening up the account creation and sign-in protocols to reduce account sharing to keep underage young people off the betting apps, by using evidence-based criteria to identify at-risk behavior before an addiction starts, and by modernizing the process of voluntarily self-excluding from the state’s gaming venues (A.9113-B, A.9584-A).
The resolution draws further awareness to problem gambling and the resources available to help. These commonsense safeguards are similar to those the state places on other potentially addictive products and services.
“With the explosive rise of legal sports betting and mobile gambling, New Yorkers have more opportunities to wager than ever before. This new form of entertainment is a powerful economic driver, but we cannot ignore its impact on those with addictive tendencies,” Woerner continued. “That’s why strengthening protections against fraud and unfair wagers while supporting responsible gambling is crucial. I helped pass several bills to update New York’s gambling regulations, making this new industry a safer, more responsible part of our economy.”
Fellow legislators recognize the role of enacting policies to reduce overall harm in online gambling, and Woerner is working to implement their policy solutions. A bill from Assemblymember Alex Bores establishes a task force to study prop bets, particularly “unders” a category of sports wager that are highly susceptible to manipulation (A.10538).
One of the more challenging aspects of the interface design of mobile gambling is the difficulty of tracking net wins and losses, a feature that many app developers deliberately design. To assist players in responsible betting, legislation introduced by Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay would require monthly account activity statements be available for each user (A.10329).
New York strictly regulates advertising for alcohol, tobacco and other addictive products. Building on that framework, a bill introduced by Assemblyman Clyde Vanel brings mobile gaming operators under the same advertising regulations in place for traditional racing and wagering facilities (A.382-A). Finally, the legislative package offers hope and resources to New Yorkers struggling with problem gambling. Addiction of any form is a disease that can be treated with effort and patience. Assemblymember Phil Steck’s bill ensures that treatment is accessible by requiring health insurers to cover problem gambling services (A.8518).
“New York has seen rapid growth in gambling, particularly with the expansion of mobile sports wagering, and with that growth comes a responsibility to protect the public and support those who may be struggling,” Phil Steck, Chair of the Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse said. “My bill requiring health insurance plans to cover outpatient treatment for problem gambling is an important step because too many people who want help cannot access care when it is not consistently covered by insurance. As a result, many are forced to pay out of pocket or go without treatment altogether. At the same time, we cannot focus only on treatment after the fact. We also need strong safeguards in place to help prevent gambling addiction before it starts.”
Beasley required 28 stitches after his head slammed into the dashboard of the aircraft (Courtesy of Tina Smith)
Beasley said he and his nephew Nathan, (left), didn’t panic when they lost power and instead focused on getting it down safely. (Courtesy of Tina Smith)
It was a beautiful day in North Carolina for Jeff Beasley.
On March 8, the 47-year-old resident of Saratoga Springs was in Indian Trail, North Carolina visiting his family for his sister’s birthday when he decided to go up in a small plane with his nephew, Nathan. The 21-year-old had just received his pilot’s license and was excited to show off his skills to his family. Beasley volunteered to go up first.
After completing pre-flight checks, the two had just taken off when Beasley noticed something was wrong.
“I noticed something, it just felt like the thrust wasn’t there,” Beasley said. “About the same time my nephew made the comment, ‘uh oh.’”
At that point both men noticed that the propellor on the single engine Piper 28 wasn’t spinning as fast and the engine appeared to be stalling. Beasley said that he and his nephew didn’t panic and instead focused on getting the plane down safely. Both of them struggled to find a place to land as most of the area surrounding the airport was wooded.
“Everywhere I looked, it was just thick woods, and I knew if we went into the woods, we were most likely not going to make it,” Beasley said.
Beasley then spotted the place where they would eventually land — a cow pasture about a mile away from the airport in the opposite direction from where they took off.
“I said, ‘Do you think we can get over there?’” Jeff recalls asking Nathan. “And he said, ‘I don’t know, but we’re gonna try.’”
At about 30 feet off the ground, they struck a tree which seared off the left side of the aircraft, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, which released a preliminary report on the crash — something Beasley believes may have saved his life.
“If we would have landed without interference, I think maybe we would have rolled that plane many times in the field because it’s a cow field, it’s not very smooth, and planes aren’t exactly known for their suspensions,” Beasley said.
When the plane hit the ground, Beasley was slammed against the dashboard, resulting in a concussion, several broken rips, lacerations in his face, a possible bruised lung, and an air pocket between his chest and lung. He also lost four pints of blood in the ordeal. The force was so severe that his face broke the steel yoke of the aircraft, Beasley said.
His nephew suffered a broken hand, and a compression fracture in his back.
Beasley recalls being in and out of consciousness after the crash. He remembers hearing his nephew call out to him and telling his nephew to get up as he was lying face down in a cow pasture. He also remembers joking with the EMTs on the way to the hospital.
According to the Union County Sherriff’s Office, Nathan was airlifted to Atrium Hospital in Charlotte while Beasley was transported by ambulance.
The aircraft involved was a Piper PA-28 registered to JTS Aircraft LLC, a company based out of South Carolina. It first received its airworthiness certification in 1969, was overhauled in 2016 and passed its annual inspection as recently as Dec. 2025, according to the NTSB.
Inspection of the aircraft after the accident showed it had no water or debris in the fuel tank, and the engine didn’t have any external signs of catastrophic engine failure. Prior to the accident the airframe had flown 2,200 miles since it was overhauled in 2016.
Helping Beasley recover from the incident has been his longtime girlfriend, Tina Smith. Smith, who was in Las Vegas on a separate trip quickly rushed to Charlotte and was there within a day of the accident. Beasley said she’s been by his side ever since, helping him manage the pain and healing process.
“I wouldn’t be able to do without her,” Beasley said. “There’s been some bad nights where I can’t sleep, and I’m driving her crazy because she wants to sleep. I thank her so much for that. This has not been easy for her, and she’s just doing it all right now.”
He’s also grateful for the outpouring of support from friends who have been dropping by with food and even offered to drive to Charlotte to bring him back to New York.
While Beasley said he’s not afraid of flying, he doesn’t plan on flying in any small planes again — especially not ones made in the 60s. He said his nephew can’t wait to get back in the air despite the accident.
Beasley said that at no point were either of them afraid they weren’t going to make it. While Beasley said he’s not afraid to die, he wants to be there for his kids and make sure he’s there for them. He said that the biggest message he got from the crash is to hug your loved ones, as cliché as it sounds.
“The things that mean the most to me in life are the simple ones,” Beasley said “It’s easy conversations on a Sunday morning, waking up and having breakfast with people you love. It’s packing my kid’s lunches and helping them with their homework, as aggravating as it might be, planning parties, playing golf trips and going on a boat. Lake George in the summertime. Life’s beautiful.”
Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby announced today that a Saratoga County Grand Jury has returned an indictment charging Morgan Lange in connection with a fatal incident that occurred on September 8, 2025, in the Town of Malta.
The indictment alleges that on September 8, 2025, at approximately 10:15 p.m., members of the New York State Police were dispatched to Bentley’s Tavern in Malta for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, Troopers observed a male, identified as Joshua Soden, pinned underneath a vehicle in the parking lot.
Troopers Kianna Gutenmann and Matthew Zell immediately attempted to lift the vehicle off the victim using a car jack. Members of the Malta Ridge Fire Department responded shortly thereafter with a hydraulic jack and were able to extricate the victim. Mr. Soden was resuscitated at the scene and transported to Saratoga Hospital by Malta-Stillwater EMS. He was subsequently transferred to Albany Medical Center, where he later tragically passed away.
Troopers Gutenmann and Zell conducted an on-scene investigation and identified the defendant, Morgan Lange, as the operator of the motor vehicle involved. It is alleged that the defendant was intoxicated at the time she operated the vehicle and caused it to strike and pin the victim underneath. The indictment also alleges that the defendant attempted to conceal an open container of alcohol prior to police arrival.
According to the indictment, the defendant later provided a breath sample at the New York State Police barracks, which revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.12 percent. In the days following the incident, New York State Police Investigators Brian Watts and Amanda Puckett continued the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.
District Attorney Eby stated: “This indictment reflects the serious nature of the allegations and the tragic loss of life in this case. We commend the swift actions of the New York State Police, Malta Ridge Fire Department, and Malta-Stillwater EMS, as well as the thorough investigative work that followed. The District Attorney’s Office is focused on preparing for trial and supporting the victim’s family through this difficult time.
The prosecution of this matter is being handled by Acting Vehicular Crimes Bureau Chief Alexander Brennan and Assistant District Attorney Robert Conklin.
A Charlton tow truck driver has been arrested by Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly backed into another vehicle during a road rage incident.
Joshua Reome, 43, was arrested on the night of March 21 and charged with 1st degree reckless endangerment, 2nd degree criminal mischief and endangering the welfare of a child as there was a child in Reome’s vehicle at the time of the incident. The incident occurred at 10:23 p.m. on Route 67 in the Town of Charlton.
According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Reome had been traveling west in his tow truck when he was passed by a Subaru, which he soon passed. When the two vehicles stopped at the intersection of Routes 67 and 147, Reome is alleged to have gotten out of the truck and charged at the Subaru. Reome was struck when the Subaru accelerated to escape from the situation.
Reome allegedly followed the Subaru, passed it, then stopped and intentionally backed into the car before fleeing the scene. He was arrested and arraigned in the Milton Town Court and released to pretrial services pending further proceedings in the Charlton Town Court.
There were no injuries reported as a result of the incident.
Applications are now being accepted for those interested in being a part of the award-winning Leadership Saratoga program.
Sponsored by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, this popular program is dedicated to the development of leaders who will serve their communities today and in the future.
The purpose of Leadership Saratoga is to inform and educate members of the community who want to ensure its success by giving of their time, talents, energy and expertise. This is often in a volunteer capacity such as serving on a board of a non-profit organization, a board of education, a land use board or becoming an elected official. Since the program’s inception in 1985, more than 700 graduates have completed the program.
The 2026-2027 Leadership Saratoga program will run from September 2026 to May 2027. Program participants are engaged in a nine-month cohort with other participants where they explore team dynamics, leadership, creative problem solving, strategic planning, communications, board governance, development and quality of life, education systems, government and more. Insider tours and experiences, case studies and group service projects are also part of this dynamic development program.
“Participating in Leadership Saratoga has helped me learn and grow exponentially—both personally and professionally. The experiential learning and collaborative environment challenged me to think differently, build essential leadership skills, and expand my knowledge of the non-profit community in the Capital District. I’ve gained confidence and a deeper understanding of how leaders can help organizations grow and thrive. This experience has been a powerful stepping stone for future leadership opportunities, and I’m truly grateful for the impact it has had on my commitment to continual personal growth and my ability to serve others in our community,” says Joyce M. Rice, Chief Operating Officer at The Anderson Financial Group.
The application period, including interviews, is open from April 1 through May 30, 2026. Advisory Board members from leading area companies and organizations help to review applications and conduct interviews for the program.
Members of the Advisory Board are Theresa Agresta – Culture Talk; David Collins – D.A. Collins Companies; Libby Clark – Law Office of M. Elizabeth Clark, Esq. P.C.; Matt D’Abate – Amsure; Aimee Dake – AIM Services; Carmine DeCrescente – DeCrescente Distributing; Maggie Fronk – Wellspring; Rajat Ghoshal – Polyset Company; Jaclyn Hakes – MJ Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Land Surveying, P.C.; Chad Kiesow – Stewart’s Shops; Jason Lynch – Pallette Stone; Maire Masterson – Business for Good Foundation; and Amy Smith – Saratoga Arms Hotel.
Anyone interested in learning more about Leadership Saratoga or considering applying to be a member of the class of 2026-2027 can visit www.LeadershipSaratoga.org for additional information.
About the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce: Since 1918, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce has been opening doors and closing deals for businesses throughout the Saratoga County community. Guided by a strong and sustainable vision, the Chamber leads the way in maintaining and strengthening a healthy business climate, initiating constructive community action, and creating a community where all can thrive.
A Schuylerville resident has been arrested after they allegedly bit a Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant.
Naydine Sargent, 19, of Schuylerville, was arrested on the night of March 19 after Saratoga County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a domestic incident on Lafayette in the Village of Schuylerville. Sargent was charged with felony 2nd degree assault and misdemeanor resisting arrest.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Sarent had been taken into taken into custody when she got free from handcuffs and bit a Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office sergeant on his finger, injuring him. The sergeant was treated on scene by Community EMS and later went to Saratoga Hospital for treatment and evaluation.
Sargent was arraigned in the Saratoga Town Court and released on her own recognizance.
A Galway man has plead guilty in federal court to harassing the wife of slain United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Shane Daley, 40, pleaded guilty on March 19 in Albany on charges of cyberstalking for an incident that occurred in December 2024, hours after Thompson’s murder.
“Shane Daley celebrated the cold-blooded murder of Brian Thompson and senselessly tried to maximize the Thompson family’s suffering,” First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that federal law enforcement will not tolerate such sickening conduct. I commend the hard work of the FBI and members of my office and the Southern District of New York for bringing Daley to justice.”
Daley was first arrested in August 2025 for allegedly calling Thompson’s widow nine times between Dec. 4 and Dec. 7, 2024. On four of those occasions, Daley left four voicemails, each less than a minute long.
In these voicemails, Daley told her that Thompson “deserved to [expletive] die” and that she and her children deserved to die. He also expressed happiness that Thompson had been killed and leveled several profane insults at her and her family.
While Daley originally denied making the phone calls when interviewed by the FBI, he later conceded that he had been drinking at the time the calls were made, and it was possible he made the calls, according to the Federal criminal complaint.
When pretrial services searched Daley’s residence, they found a loaded shotgun, whip-its, marijuana and beer cans throughout his car and room. They also discovered emails in which he threatened violence against those conducting immigration enforcement.
Daley was ordered by the court to undergo in-patient drug and alcohol treatment, which he successfully completed, according to a letter to the court filed by his attorney.
Daley will be sentenced on July 17. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years’ probation, and a $250,000 fine.
GALWAY — Alliance180—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans, first responders, and frontline health care workers—will host its inaugural Field of Honor, a patriotic display honoring the men and women who have shaped the nation, beginning Sunday, June 14 through Sunday, June 21, at the Galway Town Hall at 5910 Sacandaga Road.
The Field of Honor will feature 250 United States flags, each dedicated in honor or memory of a hero. The display opens with a Flag Day Opening Ceremony on Sunday, June 14 at 1 p.m.
Each flag in the display includes a personal dedication tag, sharing the story of a veteran, first responder, loved one, or hero being honored. The flags will remain in the field until June 21, when the flag and dedication tag will be returned to the individual or organization who sponsored it.
Each flag will be sponsored by supporters of Alliance180, or individuals honoring their loved ones. Proceeds from the event will benefit Alliance180, supporting its mission to prevent suicide and heal trauma among veterans, first responders, and frontline health care workers through a peer-to-peer, action-based program centered on transformative equine experiences.
In recognition of America 250, Alliance180 will also present a special educational exhibit adjacent to the Field of Honor. The exhibit will feature a life-sized Declaration of Independence banner, accompanied by historic American flags representing the 26 flags flown over the United States during the past 250 years, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the nation’s history.
Curtis Lumber is the presenting sponsor for this year’s event. Those looking to donate, sponsor a flag, or learn more information can visit www.healingfield.org/event/galway-ny/.
Alliance180 was founded by Bob Nevins, a decorated Army helicopter pilot who served during the Vietnam War. The program was developed and written by co-founder Melody Squier, who is an equine specialist and first responder.
For more information about Alliance180, visit www.alliance180.org.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton recently announced that the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning began March 16 and runs through May 14.
Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities and first responders during heightened conditions for wildfires.
“Many of us are looking forward to spring weather after a very cold winter, but with the warming temperatures comes increased fire risk,” Commissioner Lefton said. “That’s why we’re once again asking all New Yorkers to abide by the two-month-long burn ban. The more careful you are with fire, the better we can protect our communities and natural resources as well as our Forest Rangers and firefighters across the state.”
Even though some areas of the state are damp or remain blanketed in snow, warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise.
Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall’s debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation.
Each year, DEC Forest Rangers extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are staffed by volunteers, all too often must leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires. DEC continually updates a Fire Danger Map on DEC’s website as a resource to view local conditions.
New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small cooking fires.
Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State.
