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Author: Saratoga TODAY

Five Towers Media Launches Foundry 5

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Michael Nelson, owner of Five Towers Media (a Saratoga Springs marketing agency serving clients across the Capital Region), has launched Foundry 5, a new business automation company purpose-built for small businesses.

 Foundry 5 identifies manual, repetitive workflows, such as invoicing, lead follow-up, reporting, and client onboarding, and automates them end-to-end. Projects are fixed-scope and fixed-price, typically completed in two to three weeks. Automations run on Foundry 5’s managed infrastructure, with ongoing monitoring and support available through monthly care plans.

“Our mission has always been to help small businesses grow, and to give them unwavering support as we do,” Nelson said. “We see local teams carrying massive workloads that automation can lift off their plates. When you stop doing manually what a system can do for you, you free up your people to focus on higher-level work. That’s what actually moves the needle.”

Foundry 5 operates with a focused service model: One engineer, a defined set of automation tools, and a deliberate cap on active clients. Ongoing support is available through optional monthly care plans that cover monitoring, maintenance, and SLA-backed response times.

Nelson, who continues to lead Five Towers Media, sees the two businesses as complementary — one helping companies grow their audience, the other helping them build the operational foundation to handle that growth.

Saratoga Business Connect Returns

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Business.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Universal Preservation Hall is hosting the second Saratoga Business Connect, a professional networking event designed to foster collaboration, spark new partnerships, and strengthen economic ties. It will take place at 6 p.m. (and performances for ticket holders will begin at 7:30 p.m.) on Tuesday, March 24 in the Great Hall.

Saratoga Business Connect brings together local business leaders, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and creative professionals for an evening of conversation, relationship-building, and shared opportunity to learn about the intimate venue and share first-hand experiences of the space with their patrons. Attendees can enjoy light refreshments, structured networking moments, and the chance to connect with like-minded professionals from a wide range of industries.

The event will begin with networking and light fare, then feature live entertainment with a yet-to-be-announced musical act followed by stand-up comedy by Tony Deyo. 

Partners have access to an exclusive offer of $5 tickets, plus a free drink voucher using their partner code. The public is also welcome to attend the performances for $15. Tickets are on sale now through the Box Office at Proctors in person, via phone at (518) 346-6204 Tuesday- Saturday 12-6 p.m., or online by visiting atuph.org.

Week of March 20 – March 26, 2026 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Property Transactions.

CHARLTON

Rose Sgambati sold property at 9 Sequoia Dr to Kevin Sarsick for $380,000

Freida Garrison sold property at Peaceable St to Maddalone Cattle Company LLC for $450,000

Michael Gnip sold property at 118 Dawson Rd to Alan Kuehner for $340,000

CORINTH

Christopher Adams sold property at 4 &12 Adams Lane to Jonathan Lerman for $595,000

Blake MacWhinnie sold property at 3 Adirondack Court to Jeffrey Maldonado for $353,000

John Dingman sold property at 305 Oak St to Totianna Nunez for $157,000

Robert Delong sold property at 143 Miner Rd to Olivia Miner for $170,000

GREENFIELD

Jordan Bishop sold property at 4436 NYS Rt 9N to Joshua Morreale for $484,500

MALTA

Robert Ritter sold property at 36 Weston Way to Pamela Schuech for $430,000

Michaels Group Homes LLC sold property at 36 Wiggins Dr to Carol Rowe for $555,195

Edward Ryan sold property at 13 Wake Robin Rd to Alexander Brady for $280,000

Michaels Group Homes LLC sold property at 34 Wiggins Dr to Richard Celmer for $552,650

Del Salmon sold property at 17 Woodshire Ct to Carlton Stewart for $365,000

Frank Kehn sold property at 1123 Laurel Lane to Richard Klockowski for $480,000

MILTON

Samuel McWain sold property at 9 Conan Run to Tyler Collins for $348,000

Hunter Lane LLC sold property at 21 Hunter Court to Michael Urbanski for $664,939

SARATOGA

Sean Walter sold property at 7 AnthonyLane to Erica Castellano for $890,000

46 Ferry LLC sold property at 6 Ferry St to Christopher Ardito for $170,000

James Doyle sold property at 177 Broad St to Farah Bhatti for $515,000

Benjamin Brown sold property at 297 Burgoyne Rd to Terri Snowball for $680,000

Eric Donlon sold property at Lot 3 & 4 Sweet Rd to Brittany Arnold for $240,000

SARATOGA SPRINGS

Denise Degregorio sold property at 124 Jefferson St to Dana Barrett for $505,000

Beechwood Saratoga LLC sold property at 16 Aurora Ave to Stephanie Chew for $1,755,000

Beechwood Saratoga LLC sold property at 29 Aurora Ave to Michael Mauriello for $450,000

Gerard Bradley sold property at 8 Pinehurst Dr to Benjamin Ward for $479,000

Emma Albert sold property at 16 Hutchins St to Kristin Mihuta for 690,000

78 Church St LLC sold property at 78 Church St # 402 St to Scott Brannon for $1,902,741

Michael Gennarelli sold property at 30 Spa Dr to Philip Roberts for $480,000

WILTON

Angelina Foley sold property at 24 Old Deer Camp Rd to Anne Krasnicki for $500,000

Edie Rd LLC sold property at 1 Northbrook Dr to Karen Patton for $205,000

Raissa Masi sold property at 6 Kings Mill Rd to David Gallagher for $407,000

Nathalie Parayre sold property at 28 Kendrick Hill Rd to David Zecchini for $1,275,000

Nicholas Wolfe sold property at 141 Ruggles Rd to Jerry Gray for $550,000

June Keane sold property at 13 Cobble Hill Dr to John Tommell for $715,00

Eric Meuse sold property at 1 Farmington Ave to Mark Schewe for $267,600

Lester Loomis sold property at 294 Louden Rd to Allen Loomis for $100,000

Pigliavento Assoc. sold property at 2 Eastpointe Dr to Russell Fleishman for $995,002

 James Earl Johnson

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – James Earl Johnson, age 65, passed away March 9, 2026,  surrounded by the love of his family. Calling hours and a funeral service were held on March 13, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.  For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

Thomas F. Reilly

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

MECHANICVILLE, NY – Thomas F. Reilly, age 74, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Calling hours and Mass were held on Wednesday, March 18 at Corpus Christi Church. 

Burial with Military Honors followed at Reilly Family Farm Cemetery. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuralhome.com.    

Michael William “Mike” Wagstaff

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.


BALLSTON SPA – Michael William “Mike” Wagstaff, known to many as “Wags,” passed away on March 6, 2026.  Calling hours and a funeral service were held on Thursday, March 12, at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com. 

Diane E. Bell 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

BALLSTON SPA – Diane E. Bell, 82, passed away March 13, 2026.  Funeral service will be held at noon Tuesday, March 24, at St. Paul’s Church, 149 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs.  Family and friends may pay their respects from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm prior to the service at the church. Online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.  

Statewide Burn Ban in Effect until May

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton recently announced that the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning began March 16 and runs through May 14. 

Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities and first responders during heightened conditions for wildfires. 

“Many of us are looking forward to spring weather after a very cold winter, but with the warming temperatures comes increased fire risk,” Commissioner Lefton said. “That’s why we’re once again asking all New Yorkers to abide by the two-month-long burn ban. The more careful you are with fire, the better we can protect our communities and natural resources as well as our Forest Rangers and firefighters across the state.” 

Even though some areas of the state are damp or remain blanketed in snow, warming temperatures can quickly cause wildfire conditions to arise. 

Open burning of debris is the single-largest cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures warm and the past fall’s debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily, further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. 

Each year, DEC Forest Rangers extinguish dozens of wildfires that burn hundreds of acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are staffed by volunteers, all too often must leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires. DEC continually updates a Fire Danger Map on DEC’s website as a resource to view local conditions. 

New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small cooking fires.

Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round in New York State. 

Comfort Food Community Expands Farm 2 Library Program with Southern Adirondack Library System, Increasing Access to Fresh Food in Saratoga County

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


An initiative to bring fresh foods to those who need it via public libraries held an official ribbon cutting on March 17 at the Saratoga Public Library (Aidan Cahill)

Comfort Food Community (CFC), a nonprofit fighting rural hunger with innovative programming, is expanding its Farm 2 Library program to Saratoga Springs Public Library, Ballston Spa Public Library, and Round Lake Library- Malta Branch, in partnership with Southern Adirondack Library System (SALS). Fresh, nutritious, and local food is accessible to anyone who needs it starting Wednesday, March 4, 2026. 

Farm 2 Library is designed to be low-barrier and open access for people who may not have access to other sources of fresh, nutritious food. This food is provided free of charge to anyone who needs it with no registration or proof of need required. “Farm 2 Library is built on the belief that everyone deserves easy, stigma-free access to fresh, healthy food. By partnering with the Southern Adirondack Library System and local public libraries-trusted, welcoming spaces-we’re removing barriers and making it simple for anyone to pick up what they need, no questions asked,” said Laura Marx, Executive Director of Comfort Food Community. 

What began as a pilot program in 2017, starting with one library, has grown significantly, distributing over 42,000 pounds of food in 2025. CFC now serves 14 libraries across Washington, Warren, and Saratoga counties, providing fresh produce from our local New York State farm partners. 

Each week, libraries display a list of farms where the produce was grown to let people know where their food is coming from. Because this program depends on local farms and seasonal availability, there are often more uncommon items that are distributed like kohlrabi or celeriac, especially during the winter. 

“In New York State, our growing season is shortened during the winter due to colder temperatures and reduced daylight,” said Em Ambrose, CFC’s Food Access Coordinator. “We’re able to access lots of high-quality storage roots, like carrots or sweet potatoes, during these months and get excited when April comes, when we start to see new availability from our producers for vegetables like fresh spinach.” 

CFC also shares weekly recipes featuring the produce distributed, helping people feel confident trying new foods and learning more about what is available when. 

“Expanding Farm 2 Library to three additional locations means more families across our region can access fresh, healthy food alongside the educational opportunities that empower them to thrive,” said Kim Bolan, Executive Director of the Southern Adirondack Library System. “Today’s libraries are more than places for books – they are trusted community anchors that connect people to vital resources, lifelong learning, and one another. This initiative reflects exactly what libraries are here to do.” 

To learn more about Comfort Food Community’s programs and how to get involved, please visit www.comfortfoodcommunity.org

State Police Arrest Flushing Man Following Malta Traffic Stop

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

K9 Officer Mike found a half pound of cocaine during a Malta traffic stop ( Courtesy of New York State Police)

On March 14, 2026, State Police assigned to the Troop G Community Stabilization Unit arrested Jonathan P. Rivera, 37, of Flushing, NY, for:

• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st, a class “A” felony

• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd, a class “B” felony

• Two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class “A” misdemeanor

• Vehicle and traffic law violations

On March 15, 2026, troopers stopped a vehicle on I-87 in Malta for a vehicle and traffic law violation. Rivera was identified as the driver. Two children under the age of 16 and an adult passenger were also located in the vehicle at the time. With the assistance of K9 Mike and his handler, more than half a pound of a packaged substance which later field-tested positive for containing cocaine was located in the vehicle and seized. The felony weight narcotics were located within reach of the two children who were seated in the back of the vehicle. The children and adult passengers were released without charges from the scene.

Rivera was arrested at the scene and transported to SP Saratoga for processing. He was arraigned at the Malta Town Court, where he was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility without bail.