Author: Saratoga TODAY

Washington, D.C. — Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) on April 10 reintroduced the bipartisan Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act with Democratic Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) to commission a study regarding the benefits of expanding the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include all of Washington and Saratoga Counties. 

The legislation would specifically work towards expanding opportunities for both counties to participate in federal grant programs, increase heritage tourism, and support cultural and economic development in the area.

“Upstate New York and the North Country are the cradle of the American Revolution and home to numerous battlefields and historic sites,” Stefanik said in a statement, adding that the Act would bolster efforts to preserve the region’s heritage and ensure crucial pieces of our history are preserved for future generations. Stefanik was recently appointed by Speaker Mike Johnson as Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership for the 119th Congress. 

“I urge my colleagues to support this bill as a step to further honor our shared past and spark economic growth and cultural tourism in Upstate New York for generations to come,” Tonko said in a statement.

Tonko and Stefanik each represent portions of Saratoga County. 

“Expanding the Heritage Area to include Saratoga and Washington Counties corrects a long-standing oversight and ensures that the full story of the Americas’ turning point is told,” said Sean Kelleher, Historian for the Town of Saratoga. “This study empowers our communities to preserve that legacy while unlocking economic opportunity through heritage tourism. It’s an investment in We the People —and in the stories that define our nation.” 

The local Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, and Hudson River Valley Greenway are just a few of the sites that make up New York’s national heritage network and bring countless benefits to its communities.

CORINTH — The Healthy Corinth Coalition has coordinated a Town and Village clean-up of roadside trash from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 at The Barn, 8 Mallery St. 

Volunteers will meet at The Barn at 10 a.m. before heading out to pick up roadside trash. 

A scavenger hunt will take place to keep things fun for the whole family – everyone is welcome to participate.  Bags, gloves, and coffee will be provided. Information on “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” will be provided at The Barn throughout the event. The event will take place rain or shine.

Healthy Corinth Coalition’s purpose is to address health disparities affecting the Corinth population, to improve the health and well-being of residents, and empower them to be proactive in identifying and removing barriers to good health. For more information, email: healthycorinth@gmail.com. 

GANSEVOORT — The following events are scheduled to take place at Moreau Lake State Park, located at 605 Old Saratoga Road, Gansevoort. 

Friday, April 18 – Radical Rabbits 11a.m. – Join a Nature Center educator for a presentation on rabbit diets, ranges, behaviors and more. Free and open to all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Saturday, April 19 – Phragmites Basket Weaving 10 a.m. – noon. Join our nature center employees in a tutorial on weaving your own mini baskets for Easter, May Day, or to use as a catch-all. Free and open to all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Sunday, April 20 – Nature Trail Walk 11 a.m. Join an educator on an easy short 1.5 mile walk around the back pond. We will be starting the hike down at the beach. Please be prepared for muddy trail conditions. This hike is not stroller friendly, but well-behaved dogs on a 6-ft. or shorter leash are welcome. Free and open to all ages. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Monday, April 21- Stonewall Hike 10 a.m. This is a guided hike on a lesser-known moderate trail along the Hudson River with the added interest of logging history and old foundations. This 3.5-mile hike has some steeper parts. We will meet at the park office and will caravan to the trailhead about 20 minutes away. Please dress appropriately for muddy conditions. Hiking poles, gaiters and waterproof boots are recommended. Free and geared toward ages 13+. Please register in advance by calling 518-793-0511.

Upcoming: Wednesday, April 23 – Beginner Birding 8:30 a.m.; Saturday, April 27 Celebrating Earth Day-Hike at Lake Bonita at 9 a.m. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Dake Foundation for Children has announced six nonprofit organizations that have been selected as recipients of the most recent funding round for their Community Grant program. 

Founded by Gary Dake, President of Stewart’s Shops, the Foundation has provided grants to local children with disabilities since 2009 with a focus on inclusion, independence, and fun. In addition to the individual support the organization provides, the Community Grant program offers assistance to local 501c3 nonprofit organizations seeking to make their spaces or programming more accessible and inclusive.

Program recipients are: All Abilities Productions, Queensbury, NY – Funding will support inclusive youth theater programming; Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, Glens Falls, NY – Funding will support individuals with disabilities participating in their Group Mentoring program; Breakthrough T1D, Albany, NY – Funding will support their Connections program, providing education and community for children and young adults navigating Type 1 diabetes; Double H Ranch, Lake Luzerne, NY – Funding will support their Adaptive Winter Sports program, providing safe skiing and snowboarding opportunities for children with disabling conditions; Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern NY, Albany, NY – Funding will provide socialization and community support for children and young adults diagnosed with epilepsy; STRIDE Adaptive Sports, West Sand Lake, NY – Funding will support their Learn to Bowl program, allowing children with disabilities to participate in the sport safely with their peers. 

The Dake Foundation for Children funds grants by holding events open to the public throughout the year. The next event is “Boots & Bourbon,” and takes place on May 18 on the grounds of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Sponsorships are currently being accepted, the funds from which will provide opportunities for local children with disabilities to enjoy more independence, inclusion, and fun.

 For more information, go to:  http://www.dakefoundation.org.

SCHUYLERVILLE — The New York State Department of Transportation will host a public open house on Wednesday April 23, to discuss plans to replace the U.S. Route 4 bridge over the Hudson River. The bridge connects the towns of Northumberland, Saratoga County and Greenwich, Washington County, with a new structure at the same location designed to enhance safety and mobility for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. 

The open house will take place 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Champlain Canal Gateway Region Visitor Center, 30 Ferry St., Schuylerville. Attendees will have an opportunity to speak with NYSDOT Engineers and view plans, which include removing and replacing the bridge, and reconfiguring the intersection of Routes 4 and 32.

The bridge will be replaced with a new structure built to modern design standards with an expected lifespan of at least 75 years. Safety enhancements on the bridge include widening travel lanes from nine feet to 11 feet to facilitate the safe flow of traffic and adding five-foot shoulders in each direction to provide safer crossings for pedestrians and bicyclists. The project will also expand emergency access and enhance safety at the intersection by improving sight distance and adding turn lanes on Route 32.

The new structure will be built parallel to the existing bridge, which will remain open to traffic during construction, other than a brief period of transition to the new bridge, which will require a detour utilizing State Routes 32, 197 and 4. The project is expected to begin in 2028 and be completed in 2030.

Additionally, last week DOT announced the start of a $3.8 million project to replace the bridge carrying State Route 22 over White Creek in the Town of White Creek, Washington County. 

The project will enhance safety and improve mobility along an important travel route that provides access to the Adirondack Region and is a vital conduit for the flow of agricultural products from the area. 

State Route 22 is the longest north-south state route in New York, stretching along the eastern border from New York City to Clinton County, near the Canadian border. The project will replace the existing, 98-year-old structure that serves approximately 5,000 vehicles a day.

Saratoga Springs Police Department Chief Tyler McIntosh released the following statement regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in the city April 15:  

We acknowledge the uncertainty and confusion pertaining to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in the city, so I would like to offer some information in an effort to clarify today’s incident and the policies and practices of the Saratoga Springs Police Department.

On April 15, 2025 at 6:15 a.m., our police department communications center was contacted by ICE to notify us they were in the city conducting surveillance of a particular location. The ICE representative did not request assistance from our department and none was provided. 

At 7:57 a.m., our communications center was again contacted by ICE and notified that agents made an arrest of an individual on Broadway near Gardner Lane and that they were leaving the city. A review of city camera video confirmed that no members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department were present or involved in this arrest. 

The highest priority of the Saratoga Springs Police Department is to uphold the Constitutional rights of all individuals and to treat everyone we encounter with the utmost dignity and respect. Our mission is to serve and protect all residents and visitors of Saratoga Springs, regardless of their immigration status. 

We believe there should be no barriers for anyone who wishes to report a crime or to contact a police officer for any reason. Therefore, the Saratoga Springs Police Department does not require or encourage officers to investigate the immigration status of victims or witnesses. The reporting of a crime or cooperation with an investigation will not automatically lead to an immigration inquiry. 

Immigration enforcement is not a priority of the Saratoga Springs Police Department. SSPD members are not trained to enforce immigration laws under the federal program referred to as 287(g) certification nor do we plan to train our officers through this program. 

However, should a federal law enforcement agency request assistance from the SSPD, we will provide assistance consistent with our policies and procedures, as we would for any other law enforcement organization needing assistance within the city. Probable examples are assisting an agency with traffic control and officer safety concerns.

Again, it is important to emphasize that immigration violations are not a priority of the Saratoga Springs Police Department. As evidenced today, we remain committed to following our policies which are drafted based on the Constitution, legislation, case law, and established best practices. 

I recognize that immigration enforcement is a deeply complex and often sensitive topic that affects individuals, families, and communities in profound ways across the country. Our approach in SSPD is rooted in a commitment to equal enforcement of the law and serving and protecting all individuals in the City of Saratoga Springs with the utmost honor, integrity, and respect.