The cost of the first class stamp will rise to 42 cents on Monday, May 12.

Postage rates last rose in May 2007, with first-class stamping jumping up two cents to the current 41-cent rate.

In the past, raising the price of postage was a long and grueling process, which involved hearings before the independent Postal Regulatory Commission, and could take up to a year to complete.

However, in 2006 new laws were imposed that allows the post office to increase rates with a 45-day notice, as long as the changes are within the rate of inflation for the previous 12 months. The Postal Regulatory Commission calculated inflation rates at 2.9 percent through January, limiting the rate increases to just over a penny.

In the future, postal officials intend to adjust the rates annually each May.

Other increases set for May 12:

- Large envelope, 2 ounces, $1, up 3 cents.

- Money orders up to $500, $1.05, unchanged.

- Certified mail, $2.70, up $5 cents.

- First-class international letter to Canada or Mexico, 72 cents, up 3 cents.

- First-class international letter to other countries, 94 cents, up 4 cents.

Witnesses testify against mother in child's death

The woman accused of having prior knowledge that  her boyfriend, Michael D. Flint, Jr., had been abusing her 7-month-old son that later led to the child’s death, faced claims on Wednesday, May 7, from six friends and co-workers who contested she had previous knowledge of the abuse and continued to leave the child in Flint’s care.

Alicia Lewie, who is charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, a felony, was subjected to six witnesses who told the jury that they had witnessed her son, Colbi Bullock, with injuries in the weeks prior to his death. They also spoke of times when Lewie told them of her child’s injuries and her suspicion that Flint was responsible for them.

Lewie’s defense attorney, Michael Keenan, has attempted to portray her as a young single mother who had no other choice but to leave her son with Flint.

However, Kristen Ide, who worked with Lewie at a Wilton Mall clothing store, told the jury she had dismissed her baby-sitter because she had been writing to her ex-boyfriend while he was in prison.

Stephen Bullock, father of Colbi Bullock, was in prison for the duration of 2007. Ide also testified to warning Lewie that she should leave Flint, which was also the case for each witness who testified on Wednesday.

Testimony in the case will continue over the upcoming weeks. Flint has already pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges for his beating of the baby which later led to the infant’s death.

Saratoga Springs City Hall now selling CDTA bus passes

With no end to rising gas prices in sight, many residents of Saratoga Springs are turning to public buses for transportation.

The rising sale of bus passes in the city has led the Capital District Transportation Authority to allow the city to start selling rider swipe cards as of Monday, May 5.

The partnership was constructed between the CDTA and the city's Accounts Department and will allow the city clerk to sell the cards from City Hall-making it the first downtown Saratoga Springs location where area riders can purchase the passes.

CDTA swiper cards allow for customers to save 15 percent on their monthly fare. A five day pass, which does not include Saturdays and Sundays, is $36. A seven day pass is $44. “Summer Fun” passes can also be purchased by kids 16 and under for $17.95. The pass allows them to ride throughout July and August.

5K Relay looks to raise money for troops overseas         

The 5K Remember Relay scheduled to take place on June 28 in Saratoga Springs State Park will go toward supporting members of the armed forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sign-ups for the event will take place throughout May. The event will raise funds for Operation Adopt a Soldier/Project Yellow Ribbon, so care packages can continue to be mailed to members of the military serving overseas.

Runners and walkers interested in taking part in the event will have the opportunity to raise money for the organization by signing up pledges for the event. The minimum adult pledge is $30 and child pledges must be for at least $15.

Particpants taking part in the event will meet the day of the race at 9 a.m. in the Spa State Park warming hut. Lunch will be served after the walk.

To register go to http://www.operationadoptasoldier.com or call Terry Perry at 232-4526 or Cliff Sequin at 587-8010.

Federal prosecutors decide against death penalty in Spa City murder

The man accused of murdering his friend in a Saratoga Springs hotel room after the duo had stolen more than 50 pounds of marijuana from a drug dealer in Vermont will not face the death penalty.

Roger Aletras, 36, of the Bronx, potentially faced the death penalty in a case that alleges he shot Kevin Arkenau, 25, of New Jersey, twice in the head and left his body inside the former Sheraton Hotel on Broadway.

The decision not to seek the death penalty in the case was chalked up to mitigating factors by federal prosecutors in Vermont. Prosecutors have not specified the exact factors leading to their decision.

Vermont, a state that does not have capital punishment at the state level, had its last federal  capital punishment case in 2005.