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Author: Aidan Cahill

Gansevoort Man arrested for Strangulation in Moreau

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

A Gansevoort man has been arrested after he allegedly strangled someone and attempted to prevent them from calling for help. 

Michael Blair, 34,  was arrested by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on the morning of Dec. 4, 2025 on Hatchery Road in Moreau. He was arrested on charges of 2nd degree strangulation —a class D felony, 1st degree unlawful imprisonment — a class E felony, 3rd degree assault and 4th degree criminal mischief — both of which are class A misdemeanors. 

Blair is accused of applying pressure to the victim’s neck in order to cause loss of consciousness. He is also accused of assaulting and lawfully restraining the victim. When the victim tried calling for help, Blair is alleged to have taken their phone in an attempt to prevent help from coming. 

The victim was transported to Glens Falls Hospital for treatment and evaluation. Blair was arraigned in the Moreau Town Court and held at the Saratoga County Jail pending further charges.  

One Dead, One injured In Galway Thanksgiving Shooting.

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

Editors Note- This story contains reference to suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, resources are available through the National suicide and crisis hotline by calling or texting 988. An online chat is available at 988lifeline.org. 

One person is dead, and another was injured in a Thanksgiving shooting in the town of Galway. 

The shooting occurred Nov. 27 at 7:41 pm on Consaul Road in the Town of Galway. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, a 54-year-old woman was shot by a 63-year-old male and fled to a neighbor’s house. Once Deputies arrived on scene, they were able to secure the victim. She was transported by Life Net to Albany Medical Center. 

The shooter, later identified as Donald Keller, 63 of Galway, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. According to Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, there were conflicting reports over whether Keller had fled to the nearby woods or barricaded himself in a structure.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the New York State Police, Saratoga Springs Police, New York State Parks Police, Galway Fire, Galway EMS, Saratoga Springs Fire and Life Net.

In addition, several police agencies responded to calls for service while the Sheriff’s Office was at the scene. These agencies include the Mechanicville, Waterford and Ballston Spa Police Departments. 

First Snowstorm Sees Double Digit Crashes in Saratoga County

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in Featured, News.

Residents were advised to stay indoors when the first major snowstorm of the 2025-26 winter season hit the capital region this week. 

The storm started around 7 a.m. on Dec. 2, with heavy snow reported across the county. Within 24 hours, several inches of snow had fallen with one report in Clifton Park seeing 10.6 inches of snow by 11:30 that night, according to the National Weather Service. The highest total for Saratoga Springs was 7.1 inches, reported on the morning of Dec. 3. 

While the snowfall total was well above the 0.3 inches usually seen on Dec. 2 historically, it falls well short of the 11.2 inches seen during a snowstorm in 2019 and far below the single day record seen on Dec. 17, 2020 when 32 inches of snow fell in Saratoga Springs. 

During the storm, New York State Police responded to 49 accidents and disabled vehicles in Saratoga County, the majority of which occurred on the I-87 according to a New York State Police Blotter. Conditions on the interstate got so bad that at 1 p.m., State Police asked drivers to avoid driving on the highway due to accidents between the Twin Bridges at the Saratoga-Albany County line and exit 16 in the town of Wilton. 

The snow also prompted the Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works to declare a snow emergency in order to clean up from the storm. The emergency went into effect at 8:00 p.m. Dec. 2 and ended Dec. 4 at 8:00 p.m.

During the emergency, residents were required to move their vehicles to a cleared or plowed parking space every 12 hours or risk being towed or ticketed. 

“I want to applaud the DPW workforce for their efforts today in keeping the roadways safe, and I am declaring this snow emergency to help with the snow removal efforts in the coming days,” said Marshall. “Please be courteous and conscientious of the DPW team while they work through the night and day to cleanup from this storm.”

It wasn’t all bad news. Due to the snow, school districts including Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa and Schuylerville closed and declared a snow day for the students and teachers. 

No Real ID? Pay a $45 Fee.

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in Featured, News.

Got Real ID? Green Road Sign with Low Flying Airplane Just Above with Landing Gear Down.

 A new rule published by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) will make travel more expensive for those without a real ID. 

Starting Feb. 1, 2026, travelers going through airport security checkpoints without a real ID or other approved document will have to pay a $45 fee under the TSA Confirm.ID program, the agency announced on Dec. 1. 

Notice of the fee was first published on Nov. 20. At the time the proposed fee was $18, however it was updated due to a reevaluation of costs and historic precedent. Once the fee is paid, travelers will be able to use their ID for 10 days. 

While 94% of travelers currently use a Real ID or other accepted form of ID, TSA expects those who don’t a real ID to have longer waits at checkpoints. 

“Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies and other domestic transportation systems such as rail,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl. “The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are. Beginning February 1, travelers who do not present an acceptable form of ID at our security checkpoints and still want to fly can pay a $45 fee and undergo the TSA Confirm.ID process. This fee ensures the cost to cover verification of an insufficient ID will come from the traveler, not the taxpayer. The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights.”

Acceptable forms of ID include:

• REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) State-issued Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)

• U.S. passport

• U.S. passport card

• DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)

• U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents

• Permanent resident card

• Border crossing card

• An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)

• HSPD-12 PIV card

• Foreign government-issued passport

• Canadian provincial driver’s license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card

• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)

• U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential

• Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

The TSA is encouraging those without a Real or acceptable form of ID to pay the fee in advance of their flight with more information to come regarding how to pay at specific airports. 

The Real ID law was first passed in 2005 and started roll out in 2008 buy has faced challenges due the COVID-19 pandemic and state implementation, according to reporting from the Associated Press. TSA began requiring a Real ID in May 2025 however passengers without one only got a warning and additional screening. 

 Alliance180 Receives Support from Operation Adopt a Soldier, Calls on Community to Join in this Giving

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

Alliance180, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Veterans, first responders, and frontline healthcare workers on their journey toward post-traumatic growth, recently received an unexpected gift of $2,500 from Operation Adopt a Soldier. The donation, made by the organization’s founder and president, Cliff Sequin, underscores the deep sense of solidarity and mutual respect shared among those who serve and those who support them. 

Sequin attended Alliance180’s September 22 flag planting event to mark suicide awareness and was moved by the organization’s mission to help individuals find renewed purpose and healing through peer-to-peer support and transformative programming. 

“It was incredibly humbling to receive such a generous gift from another nonprofit whose mission we deeply admire,” said Bob Nevins, co-founder of Alliance180. “To have Cliff and Operation Adopt a Soldier recognize the value of our work means so much, especially because they know firsthand the challenges faced by those who serve.” 

While Alliance180 is grateful for this act of generosity, the organization relies entirely on community support to continue offering its services free of charge. Every program from peer mentoring to helping participants rediscover meaning and connection, is made possible by donations from individuals, businesses, and community partners. 

This Giving Tuesday, December 2, Alliance180 is inviting the public to stand alongside them in their mission. Contributions of any amount will directly fund life-changing experiences for veterans, first responders, and their loved ones. 

“Our programs are free for participants, and that’s something we’re deeply committed to,” said Nevins. “But that also means we depend on the kindness of our community to make it possible. Every dollar given helps someone take that critical next step toward hope and healing.” 

Donations can be made at https://www.alliance180.org/donate.

Alliance180 has also launched a dedicated GoFundMe to support the lifelong care of its alumni horses, who are trusted partners who have played a vital role in healing Veterans, first responders, and frontline healthcare workers through transformative, suicide prevention peer programs. These horses are not recreational animals; they are healers who have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with participants during some of their most pivotal moments. Donations to this fund help ensure they receive the veterinary care, feed, shelter, and dignified retirement they deserve, allowing Alliance180 to continue offering equine-assisted support fully free of charge to those they serve. 

Alliance180 was founded by Bob Nevins, a decorated Army helicopter pilot who served during the Vietnam War. The Program was developed and written by co-founder Melody Squier, who is an Equine Specialist and first responder, and is based on trust through the universal language of the horse. This organization’s use of science-based research of the Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges, Ph.D., Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, University of North Carolina, and Polyvagal Institute, distinguishes it from other programs. 

The mission of this peer-to-peer, purpose-driven Program aims to prevent suicide for fellow Veterans, first responders, and frontline health care workers facing the effects of trauma through a transformative equine experience. The organization serves every county within New York State and beyond. No client has to pay for these services, or the travel to receive them. 

For more information about Alliance180, visit https://www.alliance180.org.

Deputy Injured in Hit and Run Crash

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in Featured, News.

A Mechanicville man was arrested on multiple charges after allegedly injuring a deputy during a hit and run crash. 

Thomas Fogarty, 51, allegedly struck a deputy driving a marked Saratoga County Sheriff’s Patrol car with a Toyota pickup truck. The incident occurred at the intersection of Kinns and Peirce Roads in Clifton Park around 4:39 a.m. the morning of Nov. 22. 

The deputy was transported to Saratoga Hospital with an arm injury and later released. After the collision, Fogerty is alleged to have fled the scene down Twilight Drive but was caught and arrested by deputies. He refused a chemical test at the time of his arrest. 

“I am extremely grateful that our deputy wasn’t seriously injured,” said Sheriff Michael H. Zurlo. “The number of DWI arrests we have seen this year have been off the charts and a lot of them have been related to crashes. It’s a troubling trend; there is never a good reason to get behind the wheel of a vehicle intoxicated or impaired.”

Fogarty was charged with 5th degree possession of a controlled substance, leaving the scene of a personal injury motor vehicle crash, DWI, failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to yield right of way at a stop sign, and refusal to take a preliminary breath test. He was arraigned in Halfmoon Town Court and released on his own recognizance pending further proceedings. 

Fogarty’s arrest was one of 10 DWI arrests county wide, between Friday Nov. 21 and Sunday 23 according to Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office press releases and blotter reports from the New York State Police. 

The arrests come as the state increases DWI enforcement due to the Thanksgiving holiday. 

Chocolate woes: Local business Talks tariffs and Costs with Local Representative

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

Representative Paul Tonko recently visited a Saratoga Springs chocolate shop to go over the impact of tariffs on the business. 

The visit took place Nov. 24 at Saratoga Chocolate Co. in the Saratoga Marketplace on Broadway. Tonko toured the shop, spoke with employees and helped pack a few orders. 

The visit was one of two visits to local businesses aimed at looking at the impacts of recent tariffs on small businesses, the other taking place at DeFazio’s Pizzeria in Troy on Nov. 25. 

During the visit, co-owner Allison Rose talked about the issues facing her shop, particularly rising costs due to tariffs. Rose said the tariffs impact multiple parts of her business from the cocoa itself to the packaging and machinery used to produce and sell it. 

“It’s hitting us on all of our cocoa products, it’s hitting us on equipment, it’s hitting us on packaging,” Rose said. 

She highlighted specific examples of prices going up like her chocolate jars which went up in price by 32% and a chocolate producing machine which went up in price by nearly $6,000 from when she was quoted the price to when paid for the machine. 

The tariffs were just one of multiple recent challenges impacting chocolatiers worldwide. Rose cited climate change and epidemics of black pod rot as causes for increasing prices. 

In September, an epidemic of the fungal infection devastated farms in Cameroon, the fifth largest producer of cocoa in the world, according to reporting by Rueters. Meanwhile, recent research by scientists from Harvard’s Salata Institute found that excessive rainfall and droughts are to blame for much of the cocoa crop failures over the last two years. 

Rose said the tariff on cocoa caused prices to rise 15-20% and that the tariff was unavoidable as cocoa can’t be produced in the United States. Another area where Rose said her prices have gone up is in packaging which she said have gone up 60% due to tariffs. 

It’s not just prices that have been impacted. Rose said she’s had to worry about how she pays her employees due to the tariffs. 

“I have an intense desire to try to raise wages and offer benefits to the folks on my staff who are more full-time employees, and try to create career track opportunities for folks,” Rose said. “With our margins being as hit as they have been for the past two years, it has been very difficult for me to move my own employee forward in a way that will foster goodwill and result in employee retention.” 

These tariffs are already causing some chocolatiers to close shop. Rose pointed to the recent closure of Apothecary Chocolates in Colton as an example of this. Rose said that she got a call from the owner offering some of her packaging supplies to help Rose continue operations. 

In addition to the packaging supplies, the owner also gave her moral support which Rose said helped exponentially.  

“I don’t think anybody truly can appreciate what the chocolate industry is going through, unless you’ve been in the chocolate industry,” Rose said. “There are a lot of different businesses in this area that are very significantly impacted by the cost of chocolate rising.” 

While Tonko didn’t have numbers on how many businesses had closed within the 21st congressional district as a result of the tariffs, Rose pointed out that it’s not just the decision to close businesses that small businesses owners are dealing with. 

Rose said that some businesses may decide not to grow due to increased costs or consumer behaviors. 

“I know that business owners that I’ve spoken to are like, ‘we’re just going to hold its status quo right now, because we just don’t know in this economy,” Rose said.  “We just don’t know what’s happening with prices. We just don’t know how the consumers are going to respond. Because we’re all feeling those upward pressures in so many areas of our own budget.” 

Saratoga Springs Man Arrested for Road-Rage Incident

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

A Saratoga Springs man has been arrested after he shot a less-than-lethal pistol at another driver during a road-rage incident. 

Landon Spring-McCarty is alleged to have shot at another vehicle with the pistol during a road rage incident on Nov. 16 on Interstate 87 near Grooms Road in Clifton Park, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. 

A projectile from the pistol struck the other vehicle. At the time of the incident, a minor was present in Spring-McCarty’s vehicle. 

Spring-McCarty was charged with 1st degree reckless endangerment, 4th degree criminal possession of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child. Spring-McCarty was arraigned in Clifton Park Town Court and released to pretrial services pending further charges. 

Beware of Scammers: County Issues Warning

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in Featured, News.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Saratoga County Sherriff’s Office have both put out warnings regarding scammers impersonating their officers.

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning regarding scammers impersonating their deputies after a resident was scammed out of $10,000. 

The scam occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 12. According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the person was contacted by an unknown individual who left a voice mail. Upon the victim recontacting the alleged scammer, the victim was told they had a warrant out for their arrest for missing jury duty. 

The victim was then threatened with arrest, loss of custody of their children and harm if they didn’t get the money. After receiving these threats, the victim paid $10,000 to the scammer through Apple Pay. 

“Scammers are exceptional at creating a false sense of urgency in people,” Saratoga County Sherriff Micheal Zurlo said. “That urgency should be the first clue that something is off. Slow down and take the time to call us before taking any action. It could save you from a significant financial loss and major emotional impact.” 

The incident came one day before the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York issued a warning regarding scams impersonating the Department of Justice. 

According to their notice, the scammers focus on immigration-related matters and threaten victims if their demands aren’t met. They also spoof the phone number to appear as though they’re affiliated with the government. 

In light of these scams, both the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Saratoga County Sherriff’s Office asserted that they would never contact someone to demand money under any circumstances. In addition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that they would never ask for payment in the form of gift cards or ask someone for their credit card information. 

They also listed numbers to call should you be the target of one of these scams. For the Sherriff’s Office, residents are encouraged to call (518) 885-6761 and for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, residents can call 315-448-0672. 

While scams impersonating government aren’t new, it has been getting worse. The FBI Internet Crime report found that in 2024 there were 17,367 reports of government impersonation scams, compared to 14,190 in 2023 and 11,554 in 2022. These scams cost the victims $405,624,084 in 2024 — compared to $394,050,518 in 2023 and $240,553,091 in 2022. 

In July, a scammer from Brooklyn targeted an elderly couple by claiming to be from Citizens Bank and stole $80,000 from them. 

Saratoga Springs Principal Resigns after Stealing from Union

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in Featured, News.

A Saratoga Springs principal has resigned after an investigation found that he stole thousands of dollars from a union he was a member of.  

Scott Singer, principal of Maple Avenue Middle School, resigned on Nov. 13 after pleading guilty to charges of petit larceny stemming from allegations that he stole $12,298.63 from the Saratoga Administrators Association (SAA). At the time of the theft, Singer served as the treasurer of the SAA. 

According to the criminal complaint, the theft was first uncovered by Johanna Friedman, an Assistant Principal at Saratoga Springs High School and the current treasurer of the SAA. In a deposition supporting the complaint, Friedman said her suspicions began when Singer closed an account run by the SAA — despite her requests not to — and subsequently deposited a check for $3600 into the account. 

These suspicions led Freidman and Kevin Wolpert, the SAA co-president and Saratoga Springs High School Assistant Principal to begin investigating Singer’s actions as the union’s treasurer dating back to the start of his term in 2019. It was during this investigation that they found multiple cash withdrawals and checks made out to Singer which he signed for himself.

“Scott made unauthorized cash withdrawals and checks to himself from our association’s account,” Wolpert said in his deposition. “The potential number of misappropriations and unauthorized withdrawals amounts to $12,298.63. Scott appears to have attempted repayment but owes the association up to $4,682.03.”

Singer’s resignation was accepted by the Saratoga Springs City School District Board of Education on Nov. 13. In an email to parents, Superintendent Dr. Micheal Patton announced the resignation and asserted that the allegations were not related to his work at the school. 

“In October, the district became aware of concerns regarding Mr. Singer’s conduct in his role as an elected official of the Saratoga Springs Administrators Association,” Dr. Patton said in the email.  “These concerns were unrelated to his responsibilities as a building principal, his interactions with students, staff, or any misuse of district or taxpayer funds.” 

Singer first joined the Saratoga Springs School District in 2002 as a special education teacher and served as a social studies teacher and assistant principal for both the middle and high school. He’s also served as the Treasurer of the New York State Middle School Association since 2019. 

As for Maple Avenue Middle School, on Nov. 19, the Saratoga Springs City School District announced that Mark Fish will take over as the interim principal from Dec. 1 to April 2, 2026. 

 Mark Fish  (seen here) will serve as interim principal of Maple Avenue Middle School after long-time principal Scott Singer resigned 
( Courtesy of Saratoga City School District)

Fish previously served as the Superintendent of Greenwich Central School District and most recently served as Interim Superintendent of Galway Central School District from January- July 2025. Fish is also listed as the historian for the New York State Middle School Association.

“We are very confident that Mr. Fish’s extensive middle school leadership experience will provide strong support for our students, staff, and school community during this time of transition,” The announcement said.