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NYRA gets new Chief Executive Officer

The New York Racing Association has a new Chief Executive Officer, and he has no experience in horse racing.

Christopher Kay was officially appointed Tuesday afternoon at a meeting of the NYRA board in New York City.

He is a former executive with 'Toys R Us' and also worked for Universal Studios.

Kay replaces Ellen McClain who stepped aside in April.

McClain replaced Charlie Hayward, who was fired last year.

NYRA operates the Saratoga Race Course, as well as Belmont and Aqueduct.

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Saratoga Co. Fair Lego holds contest

Saratoga Co. Fair Lego holds contest

SARATOGA COUNTY – The Saratoga County Fair will hold a unique new contest this year. Following is more information:

The 172nd Saratoga County Fair invites anyone eighteen and under to enter the new Lego Contest at the fair on Wednesday, July 17, 2013. The fair runs from July 16-21, 2013.

The theme is “The County Fair.” Use Legos to build animals, buildings, farming equipment, rides, create whatever your imagination dreams up that has to do with a county fair.

Lego creations should be brought to the Saratoga County Fair Family Center between 10 am – 12 noon on Wednesday, July 17th. Lego displays will be judged at 3:30 pm by the Saratoga County Fair Education Committee.  You may take your Legos home at 4 pm.

For more information, call Susan Leahey at 885-4084 or the Fair office at 885-9701 or click here.

NYRA expected to name new leader

NEW YORK - The New York Racing Authority will name its president and CEO at a 5 p.m. board meeting in New York City.

NYRA, which runs the Saratoga Race Course and two downstate tracks, has been without a leader since Ellen McClain stepped aside in April.

McClain replaced Charlie Hayward, who was fired in last year after it became known that the wagering public wasn't receiving as much as it was supposed to. 

Many believe NYRA will choose someone who does not have a background in horse racing.

NY maple syrup rebounds 59 percent after slow 2012

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's maple syrup production surged this year, thanks to better weather for the sweet crop.           

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says production was up 59 percent, from 360,000 to 574,000 gallons.           

Sap flow was held down in 2012 because of the relatively warm weather in late winter and early spring. Federal experts say the colder early spring slowed budding on the trees and extended the season.           

They say only Vermont produced more syrup than New York.           

A total of 3.25 million gallons was produced nationally, up 70 percent from 2012.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" author comes to Saratoga Springs

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Jeff Kinney, the author of the wildly popular “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series, was in Saratoga Springs Wednesday night to share his characters with a captivated audience.

If you have or know an elementary or middle school student, chances are you've heard of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books.

The author of the wildly popular series, Jeff Kinney, was in Saratoga Springs Wednesday night, to share his characters with a captivated audience.

Kinney's books are so popular around the world, time magazine recently named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Kinney's appearance was the first major event of the annual Saratoga Arts Fest.

Local Wal-Mart home to 2 separate crimes

WILTON - A Saratoga County Wal-Mart is home to two different crimes.

Police say 24-year-old Christopher Olsen exposed himself to a woman shopping in the Wilton store back on June 2.

Looking at surveillance video, now a few weeks later, they were able to find and arrest him

He is charged with public lewdness.

Two other men at the same Wal-Mart in Wilton are charged with grand larceny.

Police say Patrick Stevens and Bradley Schaffer stole a bunch of electronics worth over a $1,000.

Police say the thefts happened back in May, but they didn't arrest the two until now.

NY lawmakers push Amtrak for bike baggage cars

An Amtrak train arrives at the Albany-Rensselaer station. - Steve Wilson
RENSSELAER, N.Y. (AP) - New York lawmakers are pushing Amtrak to add baggage cars to its passenger trains that would be capable of carrying bicycles.
 
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and state Sens. Betty Little of Warren County and Brad Hoylman of Manhattan say such a move would get more visitors and tourism dollars into New York state.
 
They discussed their plan Monday at Amtrak's Albany-Rensselaer (rehn-suh-LEER') station.
 
The lawmakers want Amtrak to add baggage cars that could carry bicycles on the Adirondack and Ethan Allen trains, which run from Penn Station in Manhattan to the Albany area, Saratoga and destinations in New York's North Country and Vermont.
 
Amtrak says bikes can now be checked in as baggage for $10 each at some larger stations on those lines and it's generally looking at ways to accommodate more cyclists.