FBI called in on Charlotte Sena search

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

The search for 9-year-old Charlotte Sena continues and state police say they have called in federal and other agencies to aid in the search, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service.

As of 4 p.m. Monday, Charlotte remained missing after an extensive search of 46 linear miles. Four hundred certified search-and-rescue personnel are actively searching for the girl, who went missing Saturday evening from Moreau Lake State Park in Saratoga County.

The search is being led by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers and includes searchers from law enforcement agencies and 34 volunteer fire departments, among others, according to a statement released by state police Monday afternoon.

The investigation is still classified as a missing child case. State police have called for assistance from numerous agencies including the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, New York State Park Police, DEC Environmental Conservation police officers, the Saratoga County and Schenectady County sheriff’s offices, Schenectady Police Department, state Department of Corrections and Community Services, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Search efforts are ongoing around the clock, according to state police.

Law enforcement is asking anyone who may have any information on the case to contact police.

“The people in this community are strong, and we support one another,” according to a statement from state police. “We are asking our community to come together today to help Charlotte and her family. When a child disappears, members of the community often have information they do not realize is valuable. This information is crucial in establishing a timeline of what happened.”

State police are asking anyone who visited Moreau Lake State Park on Saturday, Sept. 30, to email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov to provide information. Even the smallest details could be key to finding the girl.

“No detail is too small when searching for a missing child,” state police said.

Trained search-and-rescue personnel who would like to volunteer in the search effort can email rangers@dec.ny.gov and provide their name, contact information and credentials.

Moreau Lake State Park remains closed indefinitely as the search for Charlotte Sena continues, and the public is asked to avoid the area, according to state police. A temporary flight restriction has been issued by the Federal Aviation Administration over the park so search helicopters and other aircraft can safely continue their work.

“On behalf of all of us in law enforcement working together, we would like to thank the community for your overwhelming support in your assistance to help find Charlotte,” state police said in a statement. “Charlotte is a bright and adventurous girl who loves to be outside. Charlotte has a huge heart and wants to create a club at her school for kids who don’t have friends. She always put others first. Please know that we continue to work around the clock to bring Charlotte home.”

Newly elected board members sworn in

April 7, 2022

By Melanie Lekocevic

Capital Region Independent Media

RAVENA — Caitlin Appleby is officially the newest member of the Ravena Village Board.

Appleby, a political newcomer, was sworn into office Tuesday after winning her first bid for elected office with nearly 86% of the vote in the hotly contested March 15 village election.

Mayor Bill Misuraca and Trustee Linda Muller were also sworn in for another term in office. They won their races with 82% and 77% of the vote, respectively.

Misuraca is a Republican who ran on the Democratic ticket after village Republicans nominated his opponent, Dominic Ruggeri, at the January caucus. Appleby, a Republican, ran on both the Democratic and Republican tickets, but the GOP withdrew their support after she was nominated at the January caucus. Muller is a Democrat and ran on her party’s ticket.

The three officials took their oaths of office at the start of the April 5 organizational meeting of the village board.

Misuraca said he got to know his running mates better while on the campaign trail and looks forward to working with them. All three will serve four-year terms on the board.

“This village board shows incredible promise!” Misuraca said. “We have hit the ground running and have much work to do completing existing infrastructure improvements, upgrading Mosher Park, community-oriented events, the list is long. I have full confidence in my team, as every member brings value and knowledge to the table. We are here to work for the people.”

Mayor Bill Misuraca was sworn into office at the start of Tuesday’s organizational meeting. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

Appleby took her oath of office using a family Bible and was joined by her family. She looks forward to her first four years in office.

“I would just like to say how grateful and humbled I am that the voters of Ravena gave me this opportunity to serve them,” Appleby said. “I plan on taking time to learn about how the village functions and immediate plans are to increase community events and to start assessing community needs.”

Appleby, who has organized the annual Friendship Festival for years, is in the midst of helping to launch the inaugural We Love aRtCS Music and Art Festival in May.

Prior to being sworn in as the newest village trustee, Appleby officially resigned her position as an alternate member of the village’s planning/zoning board of appeals in a letter dated March 29.

Muller, who is starting her second term, took her oath of office with Appleby holding the Bible for her.

Village Trustee Linda Muller, left, took her oath of office for her second term on the board with new trustee Caitlin Appleby holding the Bible for her. Melanie Lekocevic/Capital Region Independent Media

The swearing-in ceremony was followed by the annual organizational meeting.

Deputy Mayor Nancy Warner was reappointed deputy mayor.

Committee liaison positions were assigned to each board member. Warner will act as liaison to the police, fire and highway garage; Appleby will be liaison with the building department; Muller was reappointed to her liaison position to parks, pool and streets; and Trustee Joseph Ganley will be the liaison to the sewer department, sewer vouchers and billing.

The water and sewer committees involve a great deal of work, so two trustees are appointed to those committees, Misuraca said. Ganley and Warner will be co-liaisons for those departments.

Muller and Appleby were appointed co-liaisons to the zoning board of appeals/planning board.

The mayor is officially a liaison to all committees and departments, Misuraca said.