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šŸŒ± How your childā€™s school ID just became a full library card

Schenectady, New York Patch AM: a 5 min read

Good morning Schenectady! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ā˜€ļø

In today's newsletter:

  • How your childā€™s school ID just became a full library card
  • What jurors heard before deciding the Samantha Humphrey case in Schenectady.
  • Schenectady arsonist sentenced after State Street car lot blaze

Also on today's calendar: Improv Fundamentals Part 2 - Six Week Class and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: My friend David had his id stolen. šŸ¤” (Answer below!)

ā˜‘ļø Important voting information: The Nov. 3 general election is coming up. Official New York election resources: Find your polling place | Register to vote | Check your registration | Absentee, mail and early voting.

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 63 and low of 37 degrees.
  • Monday: Sunshine and some clouds, temps: high: 67, low: 45.
  • Tuesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 67 and low of 48 degrees.

šŸ“° News we're reading

1. Schenectady initiative grants library access to every student (dailygazette.com) ā€” Every Schenectady City School District student now automatically has a SPARK library card, using their school ID to borrow materials from any Schenectady County Public Library branch or online. The new pilot aims to boost literacy and remove barriers, letting kids access books, databases, computers, and more without extra paperwork or physical cards.
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2. Closing statements at Samantha Humphrey trial end in tears (dailygazette.com) ā€” Jurors in Schenectady have begun deliberating in the high-profile case over the death of 14-year-old Samantha Humphrey, after emotional closing arguments from both sides. Defense attorneys urged jurors to consider suicide and unanswered questions, while prosecutors argued Humphrey fought for her life and that Raymond Wright Jr. is responsible for her death.
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3. Schenectady: Woman convicted of arson in 2025 State St. fire (wnyt.com) ā€” A Schenectady woman has been convicted of thirdā€‘degree arson for a 2025 fire that destroyed multiple vehicles at a State Street used car lot. The Schenectady Fire Departmentā€™s investigation found the blaze was intentionally set, and the defendant was sentenced to 7.5 to 13 years in state prison, underscoring officialsā€™ focus on prosecuting suspicious fires.
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4. Judge denies motion to dismiss drug case based on Sarcone's title (timesunion.com) ā€” A federal judge has ruled that First Assistant U.S. Attorney John Sarcone can continue prosecuting cases despite earlier findings that he unlawfully served as acting U.S. attorney. That decision could influence a pending motion in the death-penalty case tied to a 2013 Schenectady fire that killed a father and three children, where defense attorneys argue Sarconeā€™s status taints the indictment.
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5. Schenectady County GOP leader threatens lawsuit over Rotterdam supervisor's allegations (timesunion.com) ā€” Schenectady County Republican Chair Liz Joy is threatening legal action against Rotterdam Supervisor John Polimeni over his claims that GOP leaders tied capital projects to political endorsements. The dispute centers on costly wastewater and infrastructure projects, rising engineering payments, and Polimeniā€™s scaledā€‘back but still steep proposed tax increase that could affect residents across Rotterdam and nearby Schenectady.
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šŸ“ø Around Schenectady

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šŸ—“ Upcoming Events in Schenectady

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šŸ’¬ Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I am looking for some advice.
    I am a senior 74 years young. I found a used car from a dealership located in New Jersey. A great deal for a 2015 Nissan Rogue with only 114,000ā€¦ (Nextdoor Guilderland by Helderberg)
  • Halloween's on, and we're ready to celebrate with you!
    We're going big with full-size treats. #TreatMap (Nextdoor Catalpa)
  • Kelly posted a job opening for Inventory & Materials Coordinator in Schenectady. Apply here.
  • Family Dollar posted a job opening for Assistant Manager I in Schenectady. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Schenectady here.

Ok Schenectady! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "My friend David had his id stolen." ā€” Now we just call him Dav. (Thank you John S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Schenectady

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Schenectady

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.