News - Week in Review

A Schuylerville man was indicted Monday on 456 charges that stem from his alleged sexual abuse of three teenage boys over a four-year period.

Donald Nitchman, 48, of 169 Hass Road, Schuylerville, was indicted by a grand jury on four counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, 77 counts of second-degree criminal sexual act, 77 counts of third-degree criminal sexual act, all felonies. The misdemeanors include 144 counts of sexual misconduct, one count of third-degree sexual abuse, three counts of second-degree unlawful imprisonment and 144 counts of endangering the welfare of the child.

Of the 456 charges, 160 of them are tied to incidents between Nitchman and the three victims.

State Police arrested Nitchman on June 23 and he was remanded to Saratoga County Jail. Nitchman pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday mourning in Saratoga County Court.

If convicted, Nitchman faces a minimum of 25 years in prison just on the felony charges.

Former school bus driver receives sentencing in abuse case

The former Saratoga Springs school bus driver accused of abusing three boys was sentenced to 60 days in jail Tuesday.

Douglas G. Conrad, 35, of 151 Jefferson St., initially faced eight misdemeanor counts for the alleged abuse. He pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree sexual abuse in July.

On top of his 60 day jail sentence, Conrad will also serve six years of probation and will have to register as a sex offender.

Conrad was formerly employed as a bus driver for more than four years with the Saratoga Springs City School District. He resigned from the position two weeks after he was arrested.

Conrad's uncle, James E. Wiley, 60, faces felony sexual abuse charges that stem from an incident involving a 16-year-old on January 15.

Congress passes bailout

After more than a week of back and forth between Republicans and Democrats over the proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street, Congress approved the bill on Friday, Oct 3.

The vote passed 263-171 and was signed by President Bush shortly after.

Local congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand voted against the bill citing in a press release that she could not in "good faith" support the bill that she believed was "fundamentally flawed."

Although she thought the bill was fundamentally flawed, Gillibrand did say in the press release that she was pleased that leaders did include middle class tax cuts, investments in renewable energy and increased the FDIC limits.

Verizon activates first of 13 cell phone towers

After years of debate over whether or not cell phone towers should be allowed to be placed in the Adirondack region, Verizon activated the first of 13 cell phone towers along the Northway between Albany and Plattsburgh Thursday.

The tower is located in North Hudson and will cover a 6-mile stretch that extends past Exit 29.

More towers are currently being constructed in Lewis, Schroon Falls and Warrensburg.

Saratoga National Historical Park offers variety of events

The Saratoga National Historical Park had an array of historical events take place last weekend that included the return of a British cannon and the encampment of the British 24th regiment.

On Saturday, a British cannon that was captured during the Battles of Saratoga was returned to its original position for the first time since it was captured by American soldiers on Oct. 7, 1777. The cannon is the only known piece of heavy artillery that was captured during the battles.

The gun was loaned to the park by The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center in Fremont, Ohio. It will be on display at the battlefield during the fall months.

The British 24th Regiment of Foot - an 18th century British Army re-enactment organization - also was on hand at the battlefield to camp and conduct demonstrations to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

The regiment that fought in the Battles of Saratoga demonstrated open fire cooking, formal musket firing, uniform explanations and informal discussions of the Battles of Saratoga and American Revolution.

This Friday, Oct. 17 the Saratoga Battlefield will host 100 soldiers from the Albany Recruiting Battalion and local Army Reserve units.

The soldiers who range from 16 to 49 will complete a range of rigorous tests to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge - a foreign skill badge that may be worn on their dress uniforms. Tests include track and field events, pistol marksmanship, shot put or stone throw, first aid skills, a 200-meter swim and a road march of between 12 to 18 miles while carrying a 16-pound pack. The road march takes place on the morning of Oct. 17 on trails at the park. Soldiers who pass will receive their medals in a public ceremony at 2:30 p.m. at Stop 9.

The location and date were chosen specifically to take place on the 231 anniversary of the American Revolutionary War victory at Saratoga.

Saratoga National Historical Park offers a wide variety of programs throughout the year. For more information about future activities contact the park at 664-9821 ext. 224.