Hundreds Turn Out To Honor Capital District Teen Who Drowned In Hudson Hundreds Turn Out To Honor Capital District Teen Who Drowned In Hudson
Hundreds Turn Out To Honor Capital District Teen Who Drowned In Hudson 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…
Man, 20, Killed In Capital District Crash Remembered For Love Of Outdoors Man, 20, Killed In Capital District Crash Remembered For Love Of Outdoors
Man, 20, Killed In Capital District Crash Remembered For Love Of Outdoors A 20-year-old man who died in a two-vehicle crash is being remembered for his love of the outdoors and spending time with family. Ulster County resident Michael Bigler Jr., of Saugerties, died on Friday, June 3, in a crash on Route 9W in the Greene County town of Catskill, police said.  Earlier report - 20-Year-Old Killed In Route 9W Crash In Catskill Police reported that Bigler was the driver of 2003 Nissan Sentra that was traveling south when, for unknown reasons, the car crossed into the northbound lane and struck a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado. Bigler was pronounced dead at the …
Longtime Capital District ‘Santa’ Who Died From ALS Remembered As Devoted Partner Longtime Capital District ‘Santa’ Who Died From ALS Remembered As Devoted Partner
Longtime Capital District ‘Santa’ Who Died From ALS Remembered As Devoted Partner Family and friends are mourning the death of a Capital District man who was better known to many children over the years as Santa Claus. Albany resident Carl Nantista died Monday, May 30, at the age of 67 following a “long, courageous battle” with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, according to his obituary. After graduating from Hudson Valley Community College in 1975, Nantista spent 38 years working for Jacoby/Marcone appliance parts, his obituary said. He drove school buses for the North Colonie Central School District for three years and spent 23 years with the Albany Police Pipes & Dru…
'Life Spent Helping Others': Woman Fatally Stabbed In Region Remembered 'Life Spent Helping Others': Woman Fatally Stabbed In Region Remembered
'Life Spent Helping Others': Woman Fatally Stabbed In Region Remembered Family and friends of a Hudson Valley woman stabbed to death are remembering her for spending her life helping others. Dutchess County resident Melanie Anne Chianese, age 29, of the town of Wappinger, a lifelong area resident, was killed on Sunday, May 29 in Wappinger, an innocent, secondary victim of domestic violence, her obituary said. Born in Poughkeepsie, Chianese graduated from Arlington High School in 2012 and the Institute for Integrated Nutrition. She was scheduled to graduate from Dutchess Community College with her associate and CSAC. She was a certified health coach who spent he…
19-Year-Old College Lacrosse Player From NY Remembered For His 'Infectious Smile' 19-Year-Old College Lacrosse Player From NY Remembered For His 'Infectious Smile'
19-Year-Old College Lacrosse Player From NY Remembered For His 'Infectious Smile' A college lacrosse player from the region who died suddenly over the Memorial Day weekend is being remembered for his "infectious smile," and his love of his family and friends. Long Island resident Aidan James Kaminska, age 19, of Port Jefferson, died unexpectedly on the morning of Monday, May 30, according to his obituary. A lifelong resident of Port Jefferson, Kaminska attended the Port Jefferson School District, graduating in 2020.  He went on to be a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in communications, and was a member of the Minutemen's Division I mens’ la…
Ballston Spa Woman Killed In Crash Remembered For Her 'Contagious Smile' Ballston Spa Woman Killed In Crash Remembered For Her 'Contagious Smile'
Ballston Spa Woman Killed In Crash Remembered For Her 'Contagious Smile' A college student killed in a crash on I-87 is being remembered for her "contagious laughter." Saratoga County resident Katryn R. Fisher, of Ballston Spa, was age 22. The crash happened on the Northway stretch of I-87 at around 9:55 p.m. Saturday, May 28 on the northbound side in Albany County in the town of Colonie. Known as Katie, "she was a shining bright light, with an unbelievable smile," according to her obituary. "She had such a hysterical sense of humor and her contagious laughter brought joy to everyone around her.  "Katie was such an incredibly responsible and safety-c…
Longtime Capital District Police Detective Who Died At 90 Remembered As Role Model Longtime Capital District Police Detective Who Died At 90 Remembered As Role Model
Longtime Capital District Police Detective Who Died At 90 Remembered As Role Model A retired police detective from the Capital District who died at the age of 90 is being remembered as a great role model. Lifelong Rensselaer County resident James “Jimmy” Mantello, of Troy, died suddenly at Albany Medical Center on Saturday, May 28, according to his obituary. Mantello retired from the Troy Police Department in 1997 after serving 31 years, according to the Troy Police Benevolent and Protective Association (PBA), of which he was a member.  “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Detective Mantello during this hard time,” the PBA said in a Facebook…
NY Broadcasting Pioneer William O’Shaughnessy Dies NY Broadcasting Pioneer William O’Shaughnessy Dies
NY Broadcasting Pioneer William O’Shaughnessy Dies William O’Shaughnessy, a broadcasting pioneer in New York, died at his home in Connecticut on Saturday, May 28. He was 84. O'Shaughnessy was owner and president of Whitney Radio, which owns and operates WVOX in Westchester County. A 1999 New York Times profile described O'Shaughnessy as "a flamboyant figure, a tall man with bright silver hair and a penchant for London-made suits and Corvette convertibles." He was born April 7, 1938 to William Mac O’Shaughnessy of Elmira and Catherine Pauline Tucker of Waverly, according to his obituary. As president and editorial director, he presided for…
'Goodfellas' Actor With Deep Roots In Region, Ray Liotta, Age 67, Dies Suddenly 'Goodfellas' Actor With Deep Roots In Region, Ray Liotta, Age 67, Dies Suddenly
'Goodfellas' Actor With Deep Roots In Region, Ray Liotta, Age 67, Dies Suddenly Nationally renowned actor Ray Liotta has died at the age of 67, according to multiple media outlets.  EXCLUSIVE DETAILS: Ray Liotta Has Died. He Was 67. R.I.P. https://t.co/WsskKD7qUE — TMZ (@TMZ) May 26, 2022 Liotta's roots to the Northeast run deep. He was born in New Jersey at St. Michael's Hospital in Newark in 1954 and spent his first six months at an orphanage there before he was adopted by a couple from Union Township. His father owned an auto parts store and his mom was a municipal clerk. Liotta got his BFA from Miami University before moving to New York City, where he took wo…
25-Year-Old Man From Region Killed In Crash Remembered For 'Kind Heart' 25-Year-Old Man From Region Killed In Crash Remembered For 'Kind Heart'
25-Year-Old Man From Region Killed In Crash Remembered For 'Kind Heart' Family and friends are mourning a young Hudson Valley native who died this month in a car crash. Keith Jornov, age 25, from Ulster County, was killed Tuesday, May 10, in Herkimer County when his car was struck by a box truck on State Route 5S near Washington Street in German Flatts, according to New York State Police. Investigators said Jornov was hit after failing to stop at a stop sign. The impact sent his car off the roadway and knocked the box truck onto its passenger side, police said. Jornov was pronounced dead at the scene. The other driver was hospitalized with non-life-threaten…
IDs Released For Buffalo Victims, Including Woman, 31, Who Was Caring For Brother With Cancer IDs Released For Buffalo Victims, Including Woman, 31, Who Was Caring For Brother With Cancer
IDs Released For Buffalo Victims, Including Woman, 31, Who Was Caring For Brother With Cancer Police have released the names of the victims in the mass shooting in Buffalo that left 10 people dead and three with non-life-threatening injuries. The shooting took place around 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 14, at Tops Market on Jefferson Avenue in a predominantly Black neighborhood, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said.  The crime is being investigated as a racially motivated hate crime and an act of terrorism.  Those killed were: Former Buffalo Police Lt. Aaron Salter, age 55, worked as a security guard at the Tops Friendly Markets grocery store. Ruth Whitfiel…
Photographer Who Was Former HS Athlete In Region Dies At Age 27 Photographer Who Was Former HS Athlete In Region Dies At Age 27
Photographer Who Was Former HS Athlete In Region Dies At Age 27 A lifelong Hudson Valley resident, who worked as a freelance photographer and a carpenter, has died unexpectedly at age 27. Putnam County resident Ryan Daly, of Mahopac, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, May 11, according to his obituary. Daly was born in North Tarrytown, and he was a graduate of Mahopac High School with the class of 2012, his obituary said. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree at Savannah College of Art and Design. During his time at school, he also played football, basketball, and lacrosse, his obituary said. "He had an eye behind the lens and captured so many won…