Patrol Officer Zach Flewelling was honored earlier today by the Glens Falls Police Benevolent Association (PBA) on his retirement from the City of Glens Falls Police Department. Officer Flewelling was formally recognized by the department, and presented with a plaque in recognition of his service to the citizens of Glens Falls. 

Officer Flewelling served 17 years with the City of Glens Falls Police Department as a Patrol Officer, and is a formerly recognized “America’s Most Wanted All-Star.” Officer Flewelling is a United States Army Veteran and retired New York National Guard Drill Sergeant / Staff Sergeant. On behalf of Chief Jarred Smith and Detective Lieutenant Seth French, the entire Glens Falls Police Department and the City of Glens Falls wish Officer Flewelling nothing but the best regarding his future endeavors upon retirement. 

Earlier this week, Police Officers within the City of Glens Falls Police Department raised funds within the department to purchase and donate toys to the Tri-County Marines Toys for Girls and Boys program.  Commander Bob Zink, from the Glens Falls American Legion Post 233 – who also organized the Veterans Day Ceremony at Crandall Park last month – represented the Tri-County Marines Toys for Girls and Boys Program. 

The City of Glens Falls Police Departments hopes that the toys donated bring joy to the several young children that the program supports this Holiday Season.

The November 27th shooting incident that occurred in the Queensbury Route 9 Walmart parking lot is now believed to have started as a road rage incident. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office said that this incident, which occurred in the area of Northway Plaza led to a reported physical confrontation and shooting. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office arrested Adrian Simental, age 33. He has been charged with felony counts of attempted first-degree assault, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded not guilty to these charges on Wednesday, November 30th, at the Warren County CAP Court; Simental was remanded to Warren County Jail in lieu of the necessary bail. He is expected back in court Monday, December 6, at 9:00 AM.

Aggressive driving can take many forms: whether it be tailgating, weaving, poorly timed lane changes, or speeding. The AAA Foundation for Public Safety says aggressive driving is a factor in 54% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes: episodes of road rage have resulted in 30 deaths and 1,800 injuries in a single year.

Road rage occurs when a driver experiences extreme aggression or anger, leading them to intend to cause physical harm. There are steps one can take when involved in a road rage situation: The first thing to do is remain calm, and focus on driving safely. Do not engage the other driver or return hand gestures, and avoid eye contact. Keep your seatbelt buckled, in case of unexpected braking. If someone is following you due to a road rage situation, try to pull into a police station, or at least a public space; it is recommended that you avoid going home until the altercation is dealt with. If possible, write down a description of the car – including its license plate number – and some details about the driver. When you feel that it is safe, call 911. 

This road rage incident in Queensbury ended in a shooting. Warren County Sheriff Jim Lafarr said, “We strongly encourage everyone to avoid confrontation when faced with aggressive driving encounters, and we ask the public to seek assistance from law enforcement when confronted by a ‘road rage’ incident, rather than attempting to resolve these matters themselves.”

A week ago today on Thanksgiving morning, 915 racers and “wobblers” turned out to participate in the Glens Falls Gobble Wobble. This event benefited the Open Door Mission, which serves those struggling with hunger and homelessness in the region. For this 5K run/walk, CDPHP was the Presenting Sponsor, and Hilltop Construction Co. was the Stride Sponsor.

The race began at 226 Warren Street – The Open Door Mission – and circled through downtown Glens Falls to finish back at the Mission. 

Jen Steinberg, who participated in the race said, “Having attended this event again this year, I can say unequivocally that it is a beautiful, heartwarming event that makes me super proud of our community. Many homeowners were out on their lawns cheering and encouraging us as we walked past and raised money to help our most vulnerable community members through the tough winter ahead.”

The Open Door Mission exists to serve people at their point of need, cultivating personal growth and community sustainability. The Mission serves individuals that are homeless and low income by providing practical solutions to physical, spiritual, and relational brokenness. The Open Door Vision statement is to foster life transformation in a compassionate collaborative community: where the marginalized feel safe asking for help, resources are accessible, and all are treated with dignity. 

The Open Door started with Erie Blanchette’s concern for a shelter in the area – it became apparent that a soup kitchen was in immediate need. The Open Door served it’s first 13 meals from an RV in a parking lot on South Street in Glens Falls on September 5, 1991. Over the years, the Mission has been located at 24 South Street and on 47 Lawrence Street; in 2018, The Open Door Mission moved to its permanent location at 226 Warren Street. 

The Mission serves an average of more than 1,600 meals a month. It also provides sanctuary for people experiencing temporary homelessness. This location is also a Code Blue Shelter, and provides safety and protection during inclement weather. 

The Open Door Mission is a Christian Ministry where people in need are invited into a welcoming environment. The staff develops meaningful relationships and helps people become stable; and all of the services of The Open Door Mission are provided free of charge. For more information, please visit opendoor-ny.org

On Sunday, November 27th, Warren County Sheriff’s and State Police responded to a shooting incident in the parking lot of the Walmart on Route 9 in Queensbury. The police say that an aggressive driving incident occurred in the area of Northway Plaza.

Adrian Simental, 33, faces multiple charges. His vehicle followed the victim’s vehicle into the Walmart parking lot. At this time, a verbal and physical altercation occurred; Simental allegedly fired a handgun that hit the victim in the hip, and then fled the scene. The victim was treated at Glens Falls Hospital and Albany Medical Center.

Simental of California has been charged with attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon. In Court today, he pleaded “not guilty” to all charges. 

Court documents show that Simental and the victim got into a fight. The fight led to Simental pulling out a handgun and allegedly shooting the victim in the hip. The Deputies were able to identify the car used by the suspect and found him at a Moreau home; police then executed a search warrant and arrested Simental. He is being held on $200,000 cash bail or $600,000 bond in the Warren County Jail. The judge granted an order of protection for the victim, and he is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, December 6, 2022 at 9:00 AM.

The day before Thanksgiving, Rachel Seeber – the Queensbury At-Large Supervisor – announced her resignation, which will be effective January 2023. Seeber hopes that the two-month notice will give the town board time to fill the position.

Seeber said, “I am, of course, hopeful that given the two months of notice to our community regarding the anticipated filing of my resignation in the next several weeks, that the Town Board will actively seek a representative to appoint to the position effective late January to ensure that Queensbury will continue to have full representation on the county board.”

Seeber has been a vocal advocate for change of the legislative format: “We are one of about a dozen left in the state, and frankly, our at-large reps are elected in Queensbury are incredibly rare to see. I think it makes it difficult for the candidates, and frankly, it can be confusing and frustrating for the voters and constituents. That being said, it is the system that we have to work within at this time, and anyone interested in being appointed to my unexpired term – about 11 months – would send a letter of interest to the council members for Queensbury,” Seeber noted.

The Queensbury At-Large Supervisor serves two-year terms on the county board. This board oversees the county government services such as the Department of Social services, county Department of Public Works, Sheriff’s office, and county Clerk’s office as well as others. With Queensbury having the highest population in the county, the town’s representatives have the highest weighted vote count on the Board of Supervisors. 

In 2021, Seeber was elected as the Warren County Board of Supervisors’ first chairwoman, but only served one year. At the time, Seeber was completing her doctorate, and stepped down to focus on completing her degree. 

“It’s time for me to refocus on my family and my professional career full time. Politics is not my career, and you will never hear me say that it is. I believe our government should be by the people and for the people – with this in mind, and having proudly earned my doctorate just a few short months ago, it is now time to focus on teaching college full-time as the spring semester for 2023 approaches,” Seeber reportedly said.

Seeber also announced her resignation on various social media accounts; she first ran for office in 2013, and her resignation will be effective January 23, 2023 – her current term would have ended on December 31, 2023.