NEWS10's top stories of 2024
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- As 2024 draws to a close, we’re taking a look back at NEWS10’s top 25 stories of the year. The stories feature business, crime, entertainment, animals, and more.
25. Schenectady man wins $3M on scratch-off ticket: July 23
A Capital Region man has claimed the top prize on a scratch-off ticket. John Terry of Schenectady won $3 million on the New York Lottery’s Xtreme Cash scratch-off game.
24. Ranked: Best high schools in the Capital Region for 2024: April 23
U.S. News & World Report has released its 2024 Best High School rankings. Around 18,000 eligible public high schools were evaluated at the national, state, and local levels. These are the top 25 public high schools in the Albany area, according to U.S. News & World Report.
23. Saratoga Springs restaurant closes its doors: February 19
30 Lake, located at 30 Lake Avenue inside the Perennial Apartments in Saratoga Springs, has permanently closed its doors. The owners made the announcement on the 30 Lake Facebook page on February 19.
22. Rensselaer man who raped, murdered 3-year-old dies in prison: October 23
The man who admitted to raping and murdering a 3-year-old girl has died in prison. Robert Fisher was pronounced dead around 1:50 a.m. Tuesday at Elmira Correctional Facility, according to the Department of Corrections.
21. Colonie eatery set to close as owners retire: August 12
Hong Kong Bakery & Bistro closed on August 26 as the owners retired after 20 years. Owners Berry Lai and Shu Lam Chan first opened the restaurant in 2003 on Troy Schenectady Road in Latham before moving to two different locations on Central Avenue in Albany. They then found the space at 8 Wolf Road in Colonie in July 2013.
20. NYSP Trooper, tow truck driver hit on Northway near Exit 7: November 2
State Police investigated a crash in Colonie near Exit 7 of the Northway where a New York State Trooper and tow truck driver were hit by a passing vehicle. The Trooper was seriously injured and the tow truck driver sustained minor injuries.
19. Fatal officer-involved shooting on Route 9 under investigation: September 12
New York State Police investigated an officer-involved shooting in the area of Route 9 and Driscoll Road in Saratoga Springs. James Dellea, 48, of Hillsdale, allegedly did not follow commands from police and had a firearm, leading a trooper to fire his weapon, fatally striking Dellea.
18. Heavy traffic advisory for nearly sold-out SPAC shows: July 2
New York State Park Police issued a heavy traffic advisory for three almost sold-out concerts at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC). The Tyler Childers show was on July 3, while the Dave Matthews Band performed on July 5 and 6.
17. Glens Falls kindergartener escapes school, found in nearby pond: September 10
A kindergartener at Kensington Elementary School wandered off during school hours and was found uninjured in a nearby pond. The school said they were increasing safety measures to ensure this doesn’t happen again.
16. Three Clifton Park Center stores close, more opening: July 2
The Clifton Park Center Mall has announced that The CBD Store, Kati Roll Wala, and Claire’s closed. Clifton Park Center said Blow Dry Bar, The Good Feet Store, and Pita & Olive were opening in the mall.
15. Lineup announced for Albany’s Alive at Five concert series: May 13
The lineup for Albany’s 2024 Alive at Five concert series was announced. The free concert series ran on Thursdays from June 6 to August 1, except July 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
14. Albany Water encounters 14-foot snake while repairing break: July 15
Members of Albany Water encountered a 14-foot reticulated python while fixing the 48-inch transmission main at Tivoli Preserve. The Department of Environmental Conservation was called in to capture and remove the snake.
13. Schenectady’s Harbor Jam concert lineup announced: April 22
Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady has announced the return of its Harbor Jam concerts at the Mohawk Harbor Amphitheater. The headliners included Night Fever: A Tribute to the Bee Gees and Hotel California: A Tribute to the Eagles.
12. One dead after Saratoga Springs rollover crash: October 2
New York State Police investigated a fatal crash that occurred on the northbound side of the Northway just north of the Exit 14 off-ramp. The driver of the overturned car, later identified as Makenzie Minkler, 25, of Rensselaer, was taken to Saratoga Hospital where she later died from her injuries.
11. Thousands impacted by Capital Region power outages: March 23
Thousands around the Capital Region were impacted by power outages after a snowstorm in March. National Grid said the hardest hit counties were Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady.
10. Skeletal remains found in Troy renew hope in missing person’s case from 2007: October 21
Skeletal remains were found near Burden Pond in Troy in October. As the police investigation ramped up, some had renewed hope that this could have been missing 12-year-old Jaliek Rainwalker. However, the bones were later identified to be Amanda King, who was reported missing from Glenville in November 2013. Rainwalker remains missing.
9. Howe Caverns hosting final ‘Naked in a Cave’ event: August 22
After six years, Howe Caverns held its last “Naked in a Cave” event on September 28. The event was a celebration of body positivity. “While we have loved putting on this event, we just feel it is time to move on and try something new,” said Howe Caverns General Manager April Islip.
8. The Hudson Valley candy shop with celebrity owners: March 21
Samuel’s Sweet Shop in Rhinebeck is owned by Paul and Julie Rudd, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and his wife Hilarie Burton, and Andy Ostroy. The owners, who all live around the Dutchess County area, took over the shop after owner Ira Gutner suddenly passed away in 2014.
7. Capital Region schools plan to close, dismiss early for solar eclipse: March 20
A total solar eclipse passed over North America on April 8 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. In preparation for the event, many schools in the Capital Region announced they would be closing that day, having early dismissal, and/or canceling after-school activities.
6. Small plane lands on Thruway in Albany: December 20
An emergency landing that authorities called a Christmas miracle. A small twin-engine plane landed on the Thruway northbound by Exit 23 in Albany. All three occupants were not injured.
5. Amtrak to reduce service to NYC: October 17
Amtrak announced in October that it would be reducing service by three daily round trips between the Hudson Valley and New York City. After some pushback, Amtrak announced it would be restoring almost all suspended Empire Service trains starting on December 2.
4. Glenville Police release names of fatal crash victims: September 2
Four people died in a car crash on Amsterdam Road near Waters Road over Labor Day weekend. Elijah Holmes, 24, Nyvon Irizarry, 25, Quiessence Irizarry, 24, and John Kemp, 24, all of Schenectady, died in the crash.
3. New York Board of Elections releases unofficial early vote tallies: November 4
The General Election took place on Tuesday, November 5, and early voting ended in New York on Sunday, November 3. On Monday, November 4, the Board of Elections estimated that they had tallied nearly three million early votes.
2. Pilot dies in small plane crash in Colonie: June 17
A small plane crashed in the area of Maxwell Road, Albany Shaker Road, and Wolf Road in Colonie. The pilot, Natalie Gillis, died in the crash.
1. 220-pound fish caught in Hudson River: June 26
Talk about the catch of the day. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, members of the Hudson River Estuary Program fisheries staff caught a 220-pound fish that was over six feet long.