Author: Saratoga TODAY

SARATOGA COUNTY, NY – The Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services is hosting a free Double Dutch Jump Rope Clinic for youth, ages 6 to 17, April 7th through April 9th from 10:30am to 3:30pm at Gavin Park in Saratoga Springs.  Saratoga County residents are encouraged to sign up on the County’s website at www.saratogacountyny.gov/DAYS.  Registration is required and ongoing until all 100 slots are filled.

Family, friends and community members are invited to attend a performance on Thursday, April 9th at 2pm in the Christopher Dailey Gym, Gavin Park, when the participants will demonstrate the skills they’ve learned.

This is the third year the County has held the event part of Youth Month. The event aims to promote physical fitness and teamwork among youth. Last year, there were 82 participants from 14 Saratoga County municipalities.

The Double Dutch Jump Rope Clinic is a three-day event during spring break where participants will learn how to Double Dutch or improve their existing skills with nationally recognized Double Dutch trainers from Ms. K and her Swagga Jumpers. Participants will be grouped by age upon arrival and work on a group dance routine and individual Double Dutch skills. 

To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, participants are advised to wear comfortable athletic clothing and sneakers.  It is also recommended to bring a water bottle each day and a bagged lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Lunch will be provided on Thursday.

For more information, please contact the Saratoga County Department of Aging and Youth Services at 518-884-4101 or visit saratogacountyny.gov/DAYS.

For years, the Town of Milton has quietly grown into one of Saratoga County’s most promising markets for business. Nestled west of the I-87 corridor, Milton long functioned as a bedroom community, with residents commuting to Clifton Park, Malta, and Wilton for shopping, dining, and services. But the story of Milton is changing—and local business owners are taking notice.

Population growth has been steady and strong, nearly doubling over the past 50 years. Today, Milton is the third largest town in the County with nearly 19,000 residents, with high median household incomes and a deep appreciation for supporting local businesses. This combination of density and loyalty has made early business investors in Milton’s Town Center remarkably successful, often requiring expansion within just a few years.

Two decades ago, developers and the town’s planning and zoning boards collaborated to create a Town Center concept—essentially a downtown designed to attract commerce while maintaining Milton’s community character. Early businesses discovered that Milton residents were eager to shop locally, and that enthusiasm quickly translated into consistent sales and long-term viability.

Now, Milton is entering a new phase. The recently completed $35 million airport terminal not only serves private aviation and local business travel, but also brings visitors who frequent the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Saratoga Race Course—natural patrons of local restaurants, shops, and services. McDonald’s has opened a new store in the heart of Town Center, validating the market for national chains, and a major $100 million mixed-use development is underway, bringing new residents, commercial space, and traffic to the area.

For local business owners, Milton represents a unique opportunity: a growing, loyal customer base, proven business success, and strategic infrastructure investments that increase traffic and visibility. Whether you’re a new venture or considering a second location, Milton is ready to welcome your business. The groundwork has been laid, the market is proven, and the community is eager to support your business and make you profitable.

For additional information, click on Economic Development on Milton’s website or contact John Olenik, Director of Economic Planning at jolenik@nycap.rr.com.

On February 17, 2026, State Police arrested Thomas P. Newkirk, 32, of Milton, NY, for:

o Criminal Contempt, 1st, a class “E” felony

o Sexual Abuse, 2nd, a class “A” misdemeanor

o Three counts of Criminal Contempt 2nd, a class “A” misdemeanor

o Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class “A” misdemeanor

On February 4, 2026, State Police Investigators received information regarding a past sexual assault of a child. The investigation determined Newkirk allegedly sexually assaulted a child under the age of 14 in Milton in the summer of 2025, all while there was an active court-issued order of protection issued against Newkirk protecting the victim. During the course of the investigation, it was also determined that Newkirk reportedly violated an active court-issued stay-away order of protection against Newkirk, protecting three children.  

Newkirk was arrested at his Milton residence and was transported to SP Saratoga for processing. He was arraigned at the Milton Town Court, where he was released on his own recognizance.

The Saratoga Springs History Museum proudly announces its reopening on March 7, unveiling an innovative new addition that brings the past to life in a way never before experienced in the region: AI-powered Historical Tour Guides.

Beginning on opening day, visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with digital avatars of historical figures who shaped Saratoga Springs and the Museum itself. Through their smartphones, guests can chat with these AI personalities, asking questions, exploring stories, and diving deeper into the city’s remarkable past. In select exhibits, visitors will also be able to speak directly to portrait-based avatars, creating an immersive, face-to-face experience with history.

The AI Tour Guide software was created in-house by L.F. Leon, Director of Communications for the Museum, as part of an initiative to combine innovation with accessibility. The platform supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic, ensuring that visitors from around the world can fully engage with and understand Saratoga’s history. This multilingual capability reflects the Museum’s commitment to making local history more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to all.

These AI Guides are thoughtfully designed to reflect the voices, perspectives, and documented histories of influential figures from Saratoga’s past. Among them:

• John Morrissey, founder of the Canfield Casino (now home to the Museum) and creator of the Saratoga Race Track, who helped establish Saratoga as a premier destination in American culture.

• Frank Leslie, pioneering publisher and advocate for women’s suffrage, whose legacy helped shape national conversations around women’s rights…

and many more historical personalities whose stories are deeply intertwined with Saratoga Springs’ evolution.

Rather than reading about history, visitors can now converse with it, asking questions about daily life in the 19th century, the founding of the racetrack, the transformation of the Canfield Casino, or the fight for women’s voting rights. Each interaction is designed to deepen understanding while making history accessible, dynamic, and engaging for all ages.

“This reopening marks an exciting new chapter for the Saratoga Springs History Museum,” said Executive Director James Parillo, “We are honoring our past while embracing the future, using innovative technology to create meaningful connections between our visitors and the people who shaped this city.”

The AI Tour Guides are included with Museum admission and available to all guests beginning March 7. 

Visitors are invited to experience history in conversation and to rediscover Saratoga Springs through the voices of those who lived it.

Date: Starting on March 7th, the museum will be open Wednesdays through Sundays. 

Tickets: 

Adults $15 

Seniors (60+) $12 

Students (Any Level) $8 

Children Under 12, & Members Free

The museum was closed during the winter season and is now reopening with this exciting new launch.

A community health initiative is underway in Saratoga County to promote awareness and use of the PulsePoint Respond app and improve response to sudden cardiac arrest. 

The project is being led by Maclaine Matties, a registered nurse and Doctor of Nursing Practice/Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP/FNP) student at Sacred Heart University, in collaboration with EMS Coordinator Mike McEvoy.

PulsePoint Respond is a free smartphone application that alerts CPR-trained individuals when a suspected cardiac arrest occurs in a nearby public location, helping to bridge the critical gap between the onset of a cardiac emergency and the arrival of emergency medical services. The application connects trained responders to nearby emergencies, supporting faster intervention when every minute matters.

This project focuses particularly on encouraging nurses in the community to enroll in the application, while also welcoming participation from all Saratoga County residents trained in CPR. Although nurses are well-prepared to respond in emergency situations, fewer than thirty registered nurses in the community are currently signed up to receive PulsePoint alerts. Expanding participation among healthcare professionals and community members can strengthen emergency response and improve cardiac arrest outcomes.

PulsePoint is a public, nonprofit foundation that develops mobile applications designed to increase community involvement in emergency response and improve public safety awareness.

Sudden cardiac arrest affects more than 300,000 people outside of hospitals each year in the United States. Early CPR can significantly improve survival, but many victims do not receive immediate bystander assistance before emergency responders arrive.

More information and instructions for signing up are available at:

https://lnk.bio/pulsepoint

Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby announced today that a Saratoga County jury has found Brian Hopkins guilty of Predatory Sexual Assault of a Child, a Class A-II felony, following a jury trial in Saratoga County Court.

“This verdict is a powerful affirmation of the courage and truth of a young victim who endured unimaginable trauma,” said District Attorney Eby. “We are profoundly grateful to the victim and the victim’s family for their tremendous strength in standing up to a dangerous individual. Their bravery made this conviction possible and has ensured that this defendant will no longer be able to harm others.”

District Attorney Eby praised the extraordinary efforts of the prosecution team. “Senior Bureau Chief Michele Schettino is one of the top prosecutors in the State of New York. She worked exceptionally long hours for months, leaving no detail uncovered and no stone unturned, to ensure justice for this victim. Alongside her was Assistant District Attorney Alexander Brennan, who also worked tirelessly and was an invaluable asset at trial in securing this just result.”

District Attorney Eby also extended his gratitude to the dedicated members of the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office who contributed to securing the conviction: Crime Victim Advocate Ashley Kitts, Special Victims Bureau Chief Rachael Phelan, Senior Attorney Andreanna Diliberto, Investigator Michael Hourigan, Investigator Mike Wells, Investigator Jack Barney, Investigator Joseph Iwaniec, Investigator Mark Sauter, Investigator Tim Sicko, and legal intern Audrey Fountain.

“We are equally grateful to our partners in law enforcement whose professionalism and commitment were instrumental in this case,” Eby said. “We thank the New York State Police, including Investigator Michael Menges, Investigator Roger Lind, Lieutenant Shane Larkin, Investigator Cecile LeBarron, Senior Investigator Matthew Britten, and Investigator John Montesano for their thorough investigation and steadfast dedication to protecting children in our community.”

“Our office will seek the maximum punishment allowable under the law,” District Attorney Eby stated. “Predatory sexual assault of a child is among the most heinous crimes prosecuted in our courts. We will continue to stand with victims, pursue justice relentlessly, and ensure that those who prey upon children are held fully accountable.”

Sentencing will be held before the Honorable James R. Davis at a later date.