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Author: Saratoga TODAY

NYS Association of Counties Name Matt Veitch Chair of Public Safety Committee

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) has appointed Saratoga County Supervisor Matthew Veitch as Chair of its Standing Committee on Public Safety. Supervisor Veitch replaces Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike, who retired this year after more than a decade at the helm of the committee. 

“I am honored and grateful to President McCoy and the NYSAC leadership for having the confidence in me to Chair this important committee,” Veitch said in a statement.  “There is always important work to do to tackle the issues surrounding both Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, as well as associated things like Probation, Prosecution and Defense, as well as our Jails.  I will do my best to advocate fairly on behalf of New York Counties as Chair of the Public Safety Committee.” 

NYSAC Standing Comm-ittees are essential in the development of NYSAC’s advocacy planning and efforts. They develop, discuss, and adopt the series of resolutions that go before the full county delegation, and then become the basis of NYSAC’s legislative program for the coming year.   

In addition to his role with NYSAC, Veitch also serves in several leadership positions with the National Association of Counties (NACo), including Vice-Chair of the Community, Economic, and Workforce Development Policy Steering Committee, member of the Arts & Culture Commission and IT Standing committee, and as immediate past Chair of the International Economic Development Task Force. 

Organized in 1925, NYSAC is the only statewide municipal association representing the interests of thousands of county leaders, including legislators, supervisors, county executives, administrators, commissioners, and other county officials from all 57 counties and the City of New York. 

Madigan, Candidate for Saratoga County Supervisor

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

I am privileged to be running for election as your next Saratoga County Supervisor, and, after serving as your Commissioner of Finance for ten years, I am once again humbly asking for your support.

My foremost priority is to build a better relationship between Saratoga County and the City of Saratoga Springs. Cooperation and communication between the county and the city are essential for the prosperity of our community. By fostering a strong and collaborative partnership, we can address shared challenges more efficiently, allocate resources more effectively, and ensure that both the county and the city are working towards common goals. This improved relationship will ultimately benefit all residents, leading to better services, increased opportunities, and a stronger sense of unity.

Additionally, I would like to stress the importance of bringing the city and the county closer together to tackle the issue of homelessness. By working together, we can establish comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address the root causes of homelessness, such as affordable housing, mental health services, and access to job opportunities. Let us demonstrate our compassion and responsibility by creating a community that ensures no one is left behind.

The implementation of a policy to close bars earlier is also crucial to better protect the public and to alleviate the strain on our emergency services, especially in the peak summer season. By setting an earlier closing time for bars, we can reduce the likelihood of alcohol-related incidents, such as drunk driving, fights, and other unfortunate occurrences that threaten the safety of our residents, visitors, and first responders. This measure will not only enhance public safety but also contribute to the overall quality of life in our city.

It is my hope that we can unite together to address these issues as a community, for the greater good of all residents.

I am honored to ask for your vote in the upcoming election. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, and early voting begins on Saturday, October 28. You will find my name on the ballot on both the Democratic line and the One Saratoga line.

Thank you for your consideration.

– Michele Madigan, Candidate for Saratoga County Supervisor, City of Saratoga Springs

For more about Michele’s campaign, visit www.ElectMadigan.com

24 Participants Featured in the Return of Saratoga International Flavorfeast on Oct. 7

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

A multi-cultural food and street performance festival will be held in downtown Saratoga Springs on Saturday, Oct. 7. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The eighth annual Saratoga International Flavorfeast will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7. 

The popular food festival in downtown Saratoga Springs provides attendees a feast of flavors from around the globe, while enjoying multi-cultural street performances throughout the day. International flags that line Broadway herald the annual event’s return.

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Oct. 7, Flavorfeast “passport-maps” displaying a layout of participating restaurants/businesses can be picked up on the corner of Broadway and Division Street. 

The map – which is also available at www.saratogaflavorfeast.com the night before the event – helps event-goers plan their day’s itinerary of travel to a variety of local restaurant destinations for $2 food samples from countries of origin such as Ireland, Italy, India, Guatemala, Spain, Mexico, Egypt, Greece, and more.

Participating restaurants include: Bare Blends, Ben & Jerry’s, Boca Bistro, Brasserie Benelux, Cantina, Esperanto, Gaffney’s Restaurant, Hattie’s, Henry Street Taproom, KaffeeHouse, Kaleidoscope Café, Karavalli, Kindred, Maple Valley Farm, Nashville of Saratoga, Phila Fusion, Sara’s Kitchen, Sushi Thai Garden, The District, The Parting Glass, Trattoria Fortunata, West Avenue Pizza, and Wheatfields Restaurant & Bar. Saratoga Olive Oil Company will be offering free tastings throughout the day.

“Our inspiration for creating this event was to showcase the variety of restaurants we enjoy in this region and to highlight the tremendous skills of our local chefs,” Ashley Dingeman, Saratoga Food Fanatic Blogger/Writer and co-organizer of the event said in a statement. “Fall is a beautiful time of year to walk the streets of Saratoga, and sample incredible tastes from local restaurants representing countries from all around the world.”

Entertainment including Asian dance, Irish Step Dancing, fiddling, German accordion playing, African drumming and more will take place at various locations downtown including The Spa City Motor Lodge Parking Lot, the Parting Glass Lot, the Adirondack Trust Drive Thru, as well as roaming locations throughout the city streets.

When you pick up your “passport map,” at the corner of Division and Broadway, you can enter to win prizes. All proceeds will go directly to the Food Pantry at the Franklin Community Center. In addition to food samples at restaurant locations on Broadway, Phila Street, Caroline Street, Lake Avenue and Henry Street, there will be restaurants from outside the center of town set up in The Spa City Motor Lodge Parking Lot, on the corner of Broadway and Division Street.    

The Saratoga International Flavorfeast is presented by Saratoga Food Fanatic and Network Saratoga. A full list of participating restaurants, menu items, and entertainment will be posted on www.saratogaflavorfeast.com. For more information, call 518-365-3459.  

Military Museum Re-Opening Celebration Oct. 7

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.


The State Military Museum, located on Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs, will celebrate its grand re-opening Oct. 7.

SARATOGA SPRINGS —After a lengthy period of building upgrades, the New York State Military Museum will host a Grand Re-Opening Celebration 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7. The museum is located at 61 Lake Ave.   

The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature performances by the 42nd Infantry Division band, free ice cream, and costumed re-enactors representing soldiers from many of the nation’s conflicts including the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  

The event will also include souvenir handouts celebrating the day, a scavenger hunt for children, and more.

Housed in an historic armory constructed in 1889, the Military Museum was closed from last October through the middle of July for the installation of new slate roof and an HVAC system.

The New York State Military Museum is a nationally recognized source of New York State military history highlighted by the display of numerous historical treasures.

The Military Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Admission is free.  For more information, call 518-581-5100 or visit the website at https://museum.dmna.ny.gov.

Classic Cars in “The Way We Were” Car Show in Ballston Spa This Weekend

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Neighborhood Buzz.


Car Show this weekend in Ballston Spa. Photo provided. 

BALLSTON SPA — Downtown Ballston Spa is about to transform into a showroom full of classic cars with the 21st Annual “The Way We Were” Car Show Sunday, Oct. 8.

The event, presented by the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association, takes place 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Front Street, Ballston Spa.

Organizers are expecting a large turnout of cars and trucks. There will also be food and merchandise vendors, a kid zone with a bounce house and activities, live music and a trophy presentation at the end of the day.

The event is free to spectators. To learn more about “The Way We Were” Car Show, visit www.ballston.org. 

Two Nurses Injured in Early Morning Incident

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Hospital has released a statement regarding an Incident that occurred on Oct. 1. The statement, in its entirety, reads: 

Early Sunday morning, an incident occurred where a Saratoga Hospital patient injured two nurses. The situation resolved quickly. The patient continues to receive care, and both nurses have been treated and released. 

First and foremost, we would like to acknowledge the skill and professionalism of our team who worked quickly to mitigate the situation.

Our first priority has been and continues to be providing a safe work environment where our staff is providing care to our community. We have consistently provided training exercises and opportunities focused on workplace violence preparedness and have been planning implementation of an armed assailant training exercise. It is because of this focus on training and proactive readiness that our staff across departments was able to act quickly to support their colleagues and patients. 

County Sheriff’s Office Encourages Families to Sign Up for Project Lifesaver

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

BALLSTON SPA — The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office encourages families to sign up for Project Lifesaver, an initiative dedicated to enhancing the safety and well-being of individuals at risk of wandering and getting lost and change the way the community responds to the needs of those with cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, and other related conditions. 

Project Lifesaver utilizes a transmitter tracking device worn on the individual’s wrist or ankle to aid in search efforts should that person go missing. 

The Sheriff’s Office has a receiver that can quickly pick up the tracking device’s frequency, providing for a 95% reduction time in locating the missing person compared to someone who isn’t wearing the device. On average, when a Project Lifesaver participant is reported missing, they are located within 30 minutes of the Sheriff’s Office receiver picking up their bracelet transmission. 

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office has the largest number of Project Lifesaver participants served in New York State with 175 participants in the County program. Nationwide, Saratoga County (population 238,797) has the third highest participation rate of any county in the country, following only Los Angeles County (population 10 million) and Virginia Beach (population 500,000). Per Capita, Saratoga County ranks highest in the country for program participation.

In the 8.5 years the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office has used the program, 50 Project Lifesaver participants have been quickly and safely located.    

The bracelet, transmitter, and battery are provided free to families. To learn more, contact Deputy Jason Lang of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office at 518-944-6288 or jlang@saratogacountyny.gov. 

The Project Lifesaver Program is a non-profit organization that began in Chesapeak Virginia in 1999. It now has more than 1,100 participating agencies across the US, Canada, and Australia.

Lake Ave. Fire Prevention Open House Oct. 14

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Springs Professional Firefighters I.A.F.F. Local 343 and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department will be hosting a Fire Prevention Open House 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at the main firehouse, located at 60 Lake Ave.

The open house provides community members with the opportunity to meet the firefighters while learning important fire safety techniques. 

Firefighters will be providing tours of the Lake Ave. Fire Station. A vehicle extrication demonstration, showing the “jaws of life” used to remove someone trapped in a vehicle after an accident. Ladder truck demonstrations, including a variety of uses of the ladder truck such as rope rescues. A bounce house will be set up for children attendees. Food and snacks will be provided. 

If you have any questions, contact Firefighter Jonah Sadowski at jsadowski@ssfdny.org.

September 30 – October 6, 2023

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Blotter.

Saratoga County Court

Michael D. Rosebrook, 38, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Sept. 26 to 1 year of local incarceration, after pleading to felony criminal contempt, charged April 2023 in Saratoga Springs. 

Ross M. Armer, 42, of Schuylerville, pleaded Sept. 27 to felony DWI, charged February 2023 in Wilton. Sentencing Nov. 29. 

Christopher R. Nichols, 31, of Wilton, pleaded Sept. 27 to felony burglary, charged February 2023 in Wilton. 

Brittany J. Kennedy, 31, of Mechanicville, pleaded Sept. 26 to felony DWI, charged March 2023 in Waterford. Sentencing Nov. 28.  

Charles M. Starke, 56, of Mechanicville, was sentenced Sept. 25 to 1-1/3 to 4 years’ incarceration, after pleading to felony criminal contempt, charged May 2023 in Malta. 

Joseph P. Howard, 48, of Albany, pleaded Sept. 25 to felony DWI, charged February 2023. Sentencing Nov. 27. 

Logan J. Corkins, 19, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced to 4 years’ incarceration and 15 years post release supervision, after pleading to attempted rape in the first-degree, in connection with a timeline that lists several dates from 2019 to April 2022 in the city of Saratoga Springs and the town of Milton.  

Ashley R. Schober, 35, of Ballston Spa, was sentenced to 1 to 3 years’ incarceration, after pleading to felony DWI, charged April 2023 in Saratoga Springs. 

Bowie T. Bouchard, 36, homeless, pleaded to felony grand larceny, charged March 2023 in Clifton Park. Sentencing Nov. 27. 

Vito T. Lombard, Jr., 32, of Albany, pleaded Sept. 25 to felony attempted burglary, charged 2022 in Waterford. Sentencing Nov. 27.  

Thomas M. Resue, 65, of Ballston Lake, pleaded to felony DWI, charged January 2023 in Clifton Park. Sentencing Dec. 1. 

Douglas J. Murray, 29, of Waterford, pleaded to felony DWI, charged August 2023. Sentencing Oct. 18. 

John J. Nead, 65, of Malta, was sentenced Sept. 20 to 6 months incarceration and 5 years’ probation, after pleading to endangering the welfare of a child, charged in 2023 in Malta. 

Theresa E. Merchant, 48, of Saratoga Springs, was sentenced Sept. 28 to 60 days community service and 5 years’ probation, after pleading to felony DWI, charged September 2022 in Saratoga Springs. 

Joseph Colaccino, 19, of Clifton Park, was sentenced Sept. 28 to 2 years state prison, after pleading to felony assault, charged September 2022. 

Cymry J. Brooks, 39, of Rochester, was sentenced Sept. 28 to 5 years’ probation, after pleading to aggravated family offense, charged March 2023. 

NY State Police

On Sept. 27, State Police of Queensbury arrested Tony J. Prichard, 35, of Ballston Spa. Prichard was charged with three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third-degree, grand larceny in the fourth-degree, four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh-degree, criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second-degree and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. On Sept. 27, at about 9:46 p.m., Troopers responded to the Walmart in Queensbury for the report of a larceny in progress. The reported suspect, later identified as Prichard, fled in a vehicle with merchandise valued at over $1,000 prior to law enforcements’ arrival, according to police. Troopers located the vehicle and stopped it on Aviation Road in Queensbury, with the assistance of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office. Prichard was taken into custody, and the stolen property was recovered. Further investigation discovered multiple controlled substances, including felony-weight narcotics and drug paraphernalia in the alleged suspect’s vehicle. 

On Sept. 24, at about 2:51 a.m. State Police of Saratoga stopped a vehicle on Geyser Road in Saratoga Springs, for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver was identified as James B. Nash, 23, of Ballston Spa.  Nash was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations and was issued tickets returnable to the Saratoga Springs City Court on Oct. 20, and released to a sober third party.

On Sept. 24, at about 11:44 p.m., State Police of Saratoga stopped a vehicle on Ballston Avenue in Saratoga Springs, for multiple Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. The driver was identified as Meagan E. Mcguire, 39, of Ballston.  Mcguire was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and other Vehicle and Traffic Law violations and was issued tickets returnable to the Saratoga Springs City Court on Oct. 10, and released to a sober third party.  

James Christopher Knight 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Obituaries.

MIDDLE GROVE — James “Chris” Christopher Knight passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home on Sunday, September 24, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on December 6, 1950, in Saratoga Springs, he was the son of the late Frank James Knight and Elizabeth (Ackroyd) Knight. Chris grew up in the rural area of Middle Grove and continued to stay rooted in the once countryside and vast farm fields of Greenfield.

He lived his entire life in Middle Grove in the Town of Greenfield. He attended a one room school in Greenfield prior to his schooling at St. Peter’s School in Saratoga Springs. Upon graduating from St. Peter’s, Chris completed his high school education at the Cranwell School for boys in Lenox, MA.

As a youth and wanting to follow in his big brother’s footsteps, he soon enlisted in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War where he quickly became a munitions specialist first serving in Japan, then Guam. Once he completed his overseas assignment, he returned to the US to complete his tour at the USAFB missile site in Minot, North Dakota. Here, he was a member of the security police in the Strategic Air Command Group.

When Chris completed his commitment to his country, he secured a civilian position with Electric Boat at the Kesselring Site in West Milton, NY where he was involved in the construction of the S8G Prototype. Soon, his keen interest in advancing his education led him to SUNY at Albany to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration summa cum laude with a dual focus on Finance and Economics. After completing his education, Chris accepted a position in employment with the New York State Department of Health, in Health Research, at the Wadsworth Labs in Albany. At the time of his retirement, his position with the state was systems network manager, but his colleagues fondly recall “he was really so much more.”

During the summer months, his life interests included: hiking and rock climbing in the Adirondack Mountains. He soon became an exceptionally skilled rock climber, skier, and ice climber. So much so that he decided to climb the glacier in Banff National Park, British Columbia. Although he loved skiing in the great Rocky Mountains, he returned to his favorite place in New York, the Adirondack Mountains.

Chris had many outdoor passions, but as a husband, father and papa, his greatest passion was his family. 

Chris was the devoted husband of 36 years to the love of his life, Ginger Knight, whom he married on May 24, 1987, in Saratoga Springs. He was the loving father of daughter Stacy Akaka (Christopher Richter) and cherished Papa of Timothy Akaka, Lydia Akaka, Phoebe Akaka and their father David Akaka; his son Guy Carmean (Jaime Bogovich) and cherished Papa of Chase James Carmean; daughter Susan Carmean Pollard (Jeremy Pollard) and cherished Papa of Alana Pollard. He is also the lifelong superstar for Wenonah Kemp and Karen Brown, and dearest brother Frank Michael Knight (Janice Myers Knight), nieces Kirstie and Becca, and nephew Andrew.

Cremation has taken place through the care of Simple Choices, Inc.

Interment with Military Honors commenced on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 in the Gerald B. H. Solomon – Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY 12871. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of James Christopher Knight may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Fond memories, expressions of sympathy, and memorial tree planting in memory of Chris may be made online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com