LOOKING BACK
The Record's top 10 stories from 2021
CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. » The world had high hopes going into 2021 after a pandemic filled 2020, however, unfortunately, even with vaccines, the global pandemic is peaking yet again.
With the New Year being a time for reflection, the editorial staff at The Record looked back at some of what we believed to be our top 10 stories from 2021.
Below is our list from number one to 10 and a little review on each story.
1. James White found guilty in quadruple Troy homicide
Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly announced that, after a nearly fiveweek trial, a Rensselaer County jury convicted James White, 42, of nine counts of first-degree murder; four counts of second-degree murder; and single counts of first-degree burglary; first-degree robbery; and fifthdegree criminal possession of stolen property. The announcement was made on Dec. 8, 2021.
These charges stem from the Dec. 21, 2017 slaying of Brandi Mells, 22; Shanta Myers, 36; and Myers’ two children — Jeremiah Myers, 11; and Shanise Myers, 5 in there in their basement apartment at 158 2nd Ave. The bodies weren’t found until the day after Christmas after a property manager responded to a call to check on the welfare of the tenants in that apartment.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented 27 witnesses, including White’s co-defendant, Justin Mann who previously pleaded guilty to four counts of murder in the second degree in return for an agreedupon
sentence of 25 years to life on each of those counts. In addition, throughout the nearly fiveweek trial, the prosecution presented more than 600 exhibits.
Authorities said White and Mann went there to steal video games and a television. Police spent two days collecting evidence at the Troy apartment where the victims were found and also scoured Mann’s residence in Schenectady for information that help to shed light on the motive for the crime. Without discussing specifics, police said cellphones, cell towers, and video surveillance cameras were instrumental in the arrests.
2. McLaughlin arrested and indicted for allegedly stealing campaign funds
Attorney General Letitia James announced on Dec. 1, 2021, the arrest and indictment of Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, 58, for stealing thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.
According to the report, McLaughlin, following his election to County Executive but while still serving in the New York State Assembly, allegedly withdrew $5,000 from his campaign fund and directed that $3,500 of it be given to one of
his staffers to pay the candidate’s personal debts.
McLaughlin is charged with third-degree grand larceny for the $3,500 campaign fund theft and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing for the related filing of a financial disclosure report with the New York State Board of Elections on Dec. 4, 2017, claiming that the campaign expenditure was for “consulting,” though it was being diverted for his personal use. If convicted of the felony charges, McLaughlin will be removed from office pursuant to Public Officers Law Section 30(1)(e).
On Nov. 7, 2017, McLaughlin won the race for Rensselaer County Executive and resigned his Assembly seat in Jan. 2018. It is alleged that also in Nov. 2017, a personal dispute erupted between McLaughlin and a staffer over a $3,500 personal debt owed to the staffer, as well as his possession of the staffer’s laptop computer and iPad.
In response to the staffer’s payment demand, McLaughlin directed a $5,000 check to be drawn from the “Steve McLaughlin for County Executive” campaign fund, payable to Hudson Valley Strategies, a political consulting firm used by McLaughlin. On Nov. 21, 2017, the $5,000 check was deposited
into the consulting firm’s bank account. Later that day, a Hudson Valley Strategies principal drafted a $3,500 bank check from the account and delivered it, the laptop, and the iPad to the staffer.
McLaughlin was arraigned before Judge Jennifer Sober of Rensselaer County Court and was released on his own recognizance. The third-degree grand larceny charge carries a maximum sentence of two and 1/3 to seven years in prison.
McLaughlin was elected to a second term as the Republican candidate for Rensselaer County Executive last month.
3. Hochul announces $10 million in Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant for Troy
Gov. Kathy Hochul paid a visit to Troy’s Franklin Plaza on Nov. 8,2 021, for a monumental announcement. Hochul unveiled that the Collar City will receive $10 million in funding as a Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award winner. Those funds and investments will go toward helping boost downtown Troy’s recovery efforts.
“You’re sitting here because you love this community with
your heart and soul. That is what makes a difference in communities. And those who see a waterfront as well, that just wasn’t as embraced and cherished the way it should’ve been for many, many years. We can right the wrongs of the past, right now!” Hochul said in November.
“I’m really proud to announce that Troy has won a $10 million dollar Downtown Revitalization Initiative award,” she added. “This $10 million grant will spark new life into Troy’s downtown Riverwalk District as part of our economic recovery efforts.”
4. Watervliet woman charged with attempted murder of 10-month-old baby boy
Watervliet Police Chief Joseph Centanni held a press conference on Oct. 21, 2021, and announced an arrest connected to the attempted murder of a 10-month-old baby boy. Centanni confirmed the arrest of, 31, of Watervliet.
Valentine was charged with three counts of felony second-degree attempted murder, felony second-degree assault, and misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child. Valentine was arraigned in Watervliet Criminal Court and remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.
Centanni detailed that the attacks on the child played out during a fourday period from Oct. 13 to Oct. 16. It was on Oct. 16, that someone in the home at 2402 7th Ave. alerted police to the 10-month-old baby not breathing. Upon arrival, the officer was immediately taken to a bedroom where he saw the child lying on its back in medical distress. As a result, the officer initiated life-saving efforts until emergency medical personnel arrived.
Understandably, Centanni was visibly, emotionally shaken when describing the assault on the child.
5. Rensselaer County Board of Elections establishes new early voting site at Troy Atrium
Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, marked the deadline for the Rensselaer County Board of Elections (BOE) to establish a new early voting polling site for the county. On its site, the BOE added a new early voting site at the Troy Atrium, 4 3rd St., in downtown Troy.
The new site results from a successful lawsuit filed by New York State Attorney General Letitia James on behalf of a coalition of community organizations that worked together during the past two-plus years to make early voting equitable and accessible to all County voters, particularly minority and low-income voters who rely on public transportation and who live in the most population-dense part of the County in the City of Troy.
The new site gives county residents a fourth early voting site option, along with the Town of Brunswick Office Building 336 Town Office Rd, Troy, Schodack Town Hall 265 Schuurman Rd, Castleton, and the Ned Pattison Government Center (County Office Building) 1600 7th Ave.
6. State announces completion of Starbuck Island in Green Island
Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced the completion of the Starbuck Island redevelopment project, a $65 million investment that transformed more than 11-acres of contaminated oil storage brownfield into a highdensity, vibrant waterfront community in the Village of Green Island, Albany County.
Starbuck Island connects Green Island to downtown Troy and is now home to nearly 270 residential units, a salon, a restaurant and parking.
7. DeWolf becomes next chief of police in Troy
Officials and community members gathered outside the Troy police station on July 12, 2021, to for a walkout ceremony for former Troy Police Chief Brian Owens.
Troy Mayor Patrick Madden selected Dan Dewolf to become the next chief of police in the Collar City.
8. Centanni sworn-in as 19th police chief in Watervliet
Retirement didn’t last too long for former Troy Police Capt. Joseph Centanni. After retiring from the Troy Police Department in 2020, Centanni was sworn-in Friday as the 19th Watervliet police chief.
Centanni retired from the Troy Police Department in January 2020 after serving 25 years with the department.
The Watervliet Police Department has been operating under Acting Police Chief Lt. Brian Strock since May 2020, which is when city officials furloughed and eventually parted ways with former Police Chief Anthony Geraci.
City officials cited financial stress during the peak of the pandemic as the reasoning behind parting ways with Geraci. Mayor Charles Patricelli said due to a slight tax increase and federal funding, the city was able to now hire a new police chief.
9. Troy community
honors Ayshawn Davis at Old Six Avenue Park
The City of Troy held a ceremony on Nov. 15, 2021, to dedicate a tree in memoriam of Ayshawn Davis, an 11-year old Troy child who was tragically murdered by illegal gunfire on Sept. 13, 2020. The tree and a memorial plaque were installed in Old Sixth Avenue Park in his honor.
On hand were members of the Davis family, Troy Mayor Patrick Madden, members of the Troy City Council, community members, and Steven Bouchey, of Bouchey Financial Group, who coordinated the dedication.
10. McLaughlin declares state of emergency for Rensselaer County in regards to storm damage
Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin declared a state of emergency in the middle of July after severe flood damage around certain parts of the county.