New autism legislation to be introduced
Legislators across New York State are working to introduce measures at the county, state and federal levels to have insurance companies provide more comprehensive coverage for children with autism. Several state senators and assemblymen, including Republican Sen.
Roy McDonald from Saratoga, are working to pass bills S-2366 and A-6001 dealing with the issue, which would require insurance companies to cover diagnosis, medical treatments, and therapy for children afflicted with the condition. Currently Autism is considered as more of a psychiatric condition as opposed to a medical condition by many insurance companies, which means most families are forced to pay out of pocket for the treatments.
Legislators across New York State are working to introduce measures at the county, state and federal levels to have insurance companies provide more comprehensive coverage for children with autism. Several state senators and assemblymen, including Republican Sen.
Roy McDonald from Saratoga, are working to pass bills S-2366 and A-6001 dealing with the issue, which would require insurance companies to cover diagnosis, medical treatments, and therapy for children afflicted with the condition. Currently Autism is considered as more of a psychiatric condition as opposed to a medical condition by many insurance companies, which means most families are forced to pay out of pocket for the treatments.
The bill is expected to garner widespread support from both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Joining the cause, Democratic U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand outlined her three-point plan on Tuesday to deal with the issue after reports indicated that over 29,000 children are affected by autism in New York State alone. She hopes to author and present the Uniformed Services with Autism Heroes Act to the Senate, which would help to provide coverage for military families with autistic children. Gillibrand is also hoping to convince the National Institute for Health to use some of its funds to conduct further research into Autism after the organization was granted $10 billion in stimulus money.
Greenfield man charged with murder appears in court
Mark Stutzenstein, 46, of 2372 Route 9N in Greenfield, appeared in Greenfield Town Court on Wednesday to answer for the murder of Arthur L. Jackson on May 21. Stutzenstein has been charged with second-degree murder, a class-A felony, as well as fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.
Jackson, who was a tenant of Stutzenstein's in the same apartment building, was stabbed multiple times in the abdomen late last month and taken to Saratoga Hospital in critical condition. Jackson was pronounced dead late the following day.
Judge Deborah Hopkins ruled Wednesday during a preliminary hearing that enough evidence was present to put Stutzenstein before a Grand Jury. Officials have stated that they are still awaiting the results from the crime lab before bringing the case to the Grand Jury, which has 45 days to consider the case.
Local teacher dies during bicycle race
Natalia Fox Hogan, a local resident and English teacher at Saratoga Springs high school, died Sunday after suffering from what appears to be a severe seizure during a charity bicycle race on May 31. Police arrived on the scene at the corner of Grand Avenue and Walnut Street where Hogan suddenly collapsed during the Marshall and Sterling Racing City Grand Prix, where Fire and EMS personnel were already engaged in emergency medical procedures. Hogan was transported by ambulance to Saratoga Hospital, where she passed away that evening. Hogan was 40 years old.
Colleagues of Hogan have said that the teacher was well liked among faculty and staff, and became popular with many of the students as well. Psychiatric and counseling services are being offered by the school's guidance department for those who were close to the teacher.
No foul play is suspected, and the cause of death has been attributed to an undisclosed medical condition.
Man receives 20 year prison sentence for attempted rape
Bernabe S. Felipe, who was found guilty of first-degree attempted rape and first-degree sexual abuse, both felonies, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 15 years parole after an incident which occurred on Aug. 5, 2008. The plea and sentence stems from his attack on a female victim he met at a bar in Saratoga Springs.
After leaving the bar, Felipe followed the victim on her way to take a bus to her residence in Ballston Spa when she fell and twisted her ankle. Felipe offered to take the victim back to his dormitory located in a barn on Gridley Avenue to use his cell phone for a cab ride. Upon reaching the stable, the defendant brutally attacked and sexually abused the victim. She was later found by a third party in the stable area, whose cell phone she used to dial 911.
Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy, III, said "Due to the violent nature of the attempted rape and the thorough investigation conducted by Inv. Jack Barney of SSPD, we were able to secure a sentence of 20 years in state prison, plus 15 years of post-release supervision."
DA Murphy continued, "It is important to send a message that men who sexually abuse women go to prison as we need to keep violent predators off our streets for a very long time. This woman was brutally attacked and beaten and she thought she was going to die. My hope is he will not be paroled before he completes his full 20 years. We are fortunate to live in a safe community thanks to partnership between my office and the Saratoga Springs Police Department who handles hundreds of cases each year."
Joining the cause, Democratic U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand outlined her three-point plan on Tuesday to deal with the issue after reports indicated that over 29,000 children are affected by autism in New York State alone. She hopes to author and present the Uniformed Services with Autism Heroes Act to the Senate, which would help to provide coverage for military families with autistic children. Gillibrand is also hoping to convince the National Institute for Health to use some of its funds to conduct further research into Autism after the organization was granted $10 billion in stimulus money.
Greenfield man charged with murder appears in court
Mark Stutzenstein, 46, of 2372 Route 9N in Greenfield, appeared in Greenfield Town Court on Wednesday to answer for the murder of Arthur L. Jackson on May 21. Stutzenstein has been charged with second-degree murder, a class-A felony, as well as fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.
Jackson, who was a tenant of Stutzenstein's in the same apartment building, was stabbed multiple times in the abdomen late last month and taken to Saratoga Hospital in critical condition. Jackson was pronounced dead late the following day.
Judge Deborah Hopkins ruled Wednesday during a preliminary hearing that enough evidence was present to put Stutzenstein before a Grand Jury. Officials have stated that they are still awaiting the results from the crime lab before bringing the case to the Grand Jury, which has 45 days to consider the case.
Local teacher dies during bicycle race
Natalia Fox Hogan, a local resident and English teacher at Saratoga Springs high school, died Sunday after suffering from what appears to be a severe seizure during a charity bicycle race on May 31. Police arrived on the scene at the corner of Grand Avenue and Walnut Street where Hogan suddenly collapsed during the Marshall and Sterling Racing City Grand Prix, where Fire and EMS personnel were already engaged in emergency medical procedures. Hogan was transported by ambulance to Saratoga Hospital, where she passed away that evening. Hogan was 40 years old.
Colleagues of Hogan have said that the teacher was well liked among faculty and staff, and became popular with many of the students as well. Psychiatric and counseling services are being offered by the school's guidance department for those who were close to the teacher.
No foul play is suspected, and the cause of death has been attributed to an undisclosed medical condition.
Man receives 20 year prison sentence for attempted rape
Bernabe S. Felipe, who was found guilty of first-degree attempted rape and first-degree sexual abuse, both felonies, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 15 years parole after an incident which occurred on Aug. 5, 2008. The plea and sentence stems from his attack on a female victim he met at a bar in Saratoga Springs.
After leaving the bar, Felipe followed the victim on her way to take a bus to her residence in Ballston Spa when she fell and twisted her ankle. Felipe offered to take the victim back to his dormitory located in a barn on Gridley Avenue to use his cell phone for a cab ride. Upon reaching the stable, the defendant brutally attacked and sexually abused the victim. She was later found by a third party in the stable area, whose cell phone she used to dial 911.
Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy, III, said "Due to the violent nature of the attempted rape and the thorough investigation conducted by Inv. Jack Barney of SSPD, we were able to secure a sentence of 20 years in state prison, plus 15 years of post-release supervision."
DA Murphy continued, "It is important to send a message that men who sexually abuse women go to prison as we need to keep violent predators off our streets for a very long time. This woman was brutally attacked and beaten and she thought she was going to die. My hope is he will not be paroled before he completes his full 20 years. We are fortunate to live in a safe community thanks to partnership between my office and the Saratoga Springs Police Department who handles hundreds of cases each year."
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