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District Attorney Brett Eby and Sheriff Jeff Brown Join Forces with Local Family to Help Animals Find Loving Homes

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured.

DA Sheriff Adoption Clinic

Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby and Saratoga County Sheriff Jeff Brown are joining forces with Jason and Kent Nelson to help find homes for animals currently in the Saratoga County Animal Shelter’s care. 

The team will host an Adoption Clinic on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. Community members are encouraged to attend, meet the animals available for adoption, and consider giving one of them a new home.

The effort has a deeply personal meaning for the Nelson family. Jason and Kent recently experienced the tragic loss of their beloved golden retriever, Wilson. Their brave and emotional search for Wilson captured the attention of the community, with hundreds of people coming together to help in any way they could. Among those who assisted were Alfie’s Rescue, the New York State Park Police, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, and dozens of volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to the search.

In Wilson’s memory, Jason and Kent are now turning their experience into an opportunity to help other animals in need.

“The outpouring of support for Jason, Kent and Wilson showed us what is possible when a community comes together,” said District Attorney Brett Eby. “Now, we have an opportunity to come together again for animals that need us. The shelter is at capacity, and every adoption means giving an animal a chance at the safe, loving home it deserves. We hope people will come out on October 24th, meet these animals and consider making one of them part of their family.”

Sheriff Jeff Brown said the response to Wilson’s search demonstrated the compassion and generosity that exists throughout Saratoga County.

“Wilson’s story touched so many people, and hundreds of members of our community stepped forward to help bring him home,” said Sheriff Jeff Brown. “Jason and Kent are honoring Wilson’s memory in a meaningful way by helping animals that are waiting for someone to give them a second chance. Our shelter needs the community’s help, and we hope this adoption clinic brings families and animals together.”

The Saratoga County Animal Shelter is currently at capacity, making community support and adoptions especially important. The October 24th Adoption Clinic will provide an opportunity for prospective adopters to learn more about the animals available and take the first step toward welcoming a new companion into their home.

District Attorney Eby, Sheriff Brown, Jason and Kent Nelson, and the organizations and volunteers who supported Wilson’s search are encouraging Saratoga County residents to come together once again this time to help shelter animals find the loving homes they deserve.

Local Football Athletes Nominated for Heart of a Giant Award

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, Sports.

Jesse Fortino
Jackson Rosato

(Photos courtesy of USA Football Heart of a Giant)

Two local High School Football Athletes, Jesse Fortino (Saratoga Springs) and Jackson Rosato (Ballston Spa) are nominees for the USA Football Heart of a Giant Award for their unparalleled work ethic and passion for the game of football. 

The Heart of a Giant Award is a six-week process awarding six weekly finalists and five honorable mentions who will each receive an $1,000 equipment grant for their high school football program. 

The grand prize winner will earn an additional $9,000 grant for their school and be honored on the field at a future Giants game this season. Selection for the grand prize winner is based on video submissions explaining why they have the Heart of a Giant.

Fortino and Rosato are pitted against eighteen other high school football athletes from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. 

Jackson Rosato

Rosato is a two-year varsity football starter and member of Ballston Spa’s Football Leadership Council. He believes in leading through example by showing up every day, putting in the work, and being someone others can depend on. 

Rosato’s commitment to community extends well beyond football. He is deeply involved in Unified and inclusive sports, participating in both Unified Bowling and Basketball, where students with and without disabilities compete and build connections together. His Unified Bowling team went on to win a sectional championship, but for Jackson, the greatest reward is creating an environment where everyone has the opportunity to participate and feel included. 

He is also an accomplished student, maintaining a 94 unweighted GPA, ranking in the top 10% of his class, completing eight AP courses, and earning National Honor Society membership.

Jesse Fortino 

Fortino embodies courage through resilience while facing unimaginable adversity. After losing both of his parents, Jesse moved into the Saratoga school district to live with his grandparents. 

Despite the challenges he has experienced, he has refused to let his circumstances define him. Instead, he has poured his energy into becoming the best student-athlete and teammate he can be. Jesse’s work ethic quickly set him apart. Although only a sophomore, he was pulled up to the varsity football team because of his relentless commitment and dedication, earning the respect of a program with nearly 200 athletes. 

His leadership extends beyond football, as he serves as a captain of his rugby team and competes in wrestling. Jesse also makes an impact through his willingness to serve others, he volunteers at community races, church meals, and other events while helping coach and referee younger athletes. In the classroom, he maintains strong grades and has earned High Honor Roll and Honor Roll recognition. Football has given Jesse a community that supports him through difficult moments. More importantly, it has helped him turn adversity into motivation. 

The weekly winners are determined by public voting. Week two voting is open until October 4 available at, usafootball.com/heart-of-a-giant/vote.

Wheatfields Restaurant & Bar to Close Saratoga Location

Written by Aidan Clark on . Posted in Business, Featured.

Broadway is about to change. 

Almost four-decade-old fixture, Wheatfields Restaurant & Bar, will host their final dinner service on Saturday, September 26. 

Owners Tim & Colleen Holmes purchased the storefront in 2004 from the original owner who opened the restaurant in 1988. 

“We are deeply grateful to our guests, staff, vendors, and community for your loyalty, friendship, and support. It has been our privilege to share in your milestones, celebrations, and everyday moments,” the owners said in a Facebook post. “Over the years, many of you became more than customers—you became friends. Thank you for 22 unforgettable years in downtown Saratoga Springs and for making Wheatfields such a special part of this community. We are truly grateful.”

The Holmes will still be operating their Clifton Park location, Wheatfields Bistro & Wine Bar, as well as their sister location, Beer Wine Pizza in Saratoga.

Tāng Dumplings Debuts in Saratoga 

Written by Aidan Clark on . Posted in Business, Featured.

The Dining Room of Tāng Dumplings (Aidan Clark)


Attention Saratoga!

New Chinese cuisine restaurant, Tāng Dumplings, specializing in all things dumplings is open in the Fresh Market Plaza, 46 Marion Ave. Their soup, fried, and bao dumplings are all made-to-order along with other Asian staples including fried rice, ramen, and General Tso chicken. 

The restaurateurs renovated the former Smash Burger into a more intimate dining experience with sit down table service, an open kitchen, and a juice bar. 

Their signature pork soup dumplings are listed at ten dollars for six dumplings; a price point they say allows customers to share and explore the menu. 

Tāng Dumplings opened their first location near Hershey, PA, earlier this year and they expect to open a third Tang at the end of 2026.

Tāng Dumplings is open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends offering sit down and take out dining options. 

To view the menu or order online go to tangsaratoga.com.

Midair Collision Kills Saratoga Springs Man in Edinburg

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

James Morzillo, an experienced pilot, retired teacher, and Navy Veteran was killed in a midair collision on Sept. 18. He was remembered as a compassionate, witty and knowledgeable instructor. 
A Schleicher ASW-24 glider, similar to the one seen here, was able to make a successful landing in Edinburg after a midair collision.

A Saratoga Springs man is dead following a midair collision between two gliders near the Town of Edinburg. 

James Morzillo, 80 of Saratoga Springs was killed on Sept. 18, 2026, when the glider he was piloting collided with another glider during a flight between the Saratoga Country Airport in Milton and the Piseco Airport, according to New York State Police. The incident occurred around 2:26 p.m. 

According to an FAA notice, the incident occurred when the left wing of Morzillo’s glider, identified by records as a Schempp-Hirth Ventus-2b, struck the nose of another glider, which was identified by records as a Schleicher ASW-24. 

The glider with nose damage was able to successfully land at Plateau Sky Ranch Airport in Edinburg. Its pilot was uninjured. 

After the collision, New York State Police, New York State Forest Rangers, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and numerous other agencies initiated a search for the down glider, eventually finding it around 4:54 p.m. in a remote area near Sand Lake Road in Edinburg. At the crash site, troopers found the glider’s lone occupant, later identified as Morzillo dead at the scene. 

The crash marks the third deadly aircraft accident in Saratoga County in less than a year and is the second glider involved accident in less than six months. Prior to the October 30, 2025, crash near Saratoga County Airport, the County hadn’t seen a fatal accident since 2014. 

The latest crash is under investigation by the NTSB. 

An obituary published in Saratoga TODAY, (which can be found on our website or on page four), said Morzillo was a Navy Veteran and long time teacher at Maple Avenue Middle School where he taught 7th grade science from 1977- 2001. After retiring from teaching, Morzillo became a flight instructor and developed an interest in gliders. 

FAA pilot records show that he held several certifications including single engine rating for both land and sea flight, multiengine rating for land flight and instrument flight, instructor ratings for gliders, single engine airplanes, and instrument flight, a remote pilot certification and an advanced ground instructor certification. 

Outside the classroom and cockpit, Morzillo was active in the Saratoga community, volunteering with several organizations including the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He also served as a Docent at the New York State Military Museum and an usher at SPAC. In lieu of flowers, his family has asked for donations to donations to the Wilton Wildlife Preserve, the Adirondack Soaring Association’s Junior Kids Learning to Fly Program, or Saratoga Plan. 

In the comments of his obituary, Morzillo was remembered by students and fellow pilots for being a great teacher and instructor with many comments noting his compassion, wit and knowledge. 

Out of Session: B-Spa Village Court House deemed Unsafe for Occupation 

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

Signs of the door of the Ballston Spa Village Court indicate the closure of the building. (Aidan Cahill)
Water ingress and structural issues with a since removed chimney lead the Village of Ballston Spa to vacate a building on 30 Bath Street. (Aidan Cahill)

The Ballston Spa Village Court is in new quarters after their current building was deemed unsafe for habitation by an engineer. 

The determination was announced on Sept. 22 by Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi in a Facebook post. In the same post, Rossi announced the Village would hold a special meeting to approve contingencies for continuing court operations in light of the closure. 

In the post, Rossi cited several issues impacting the building which led to its closure. Among these included:  water entering the building at the roof, cornice, and fascia, with substantial damage at the rear, apparent mold and a musty odor throughout the building, a south chimney that has separated from the building wall, and a furnace vent connected to that chimney that could not be verified as intact. 

The next day, crews tore down the chimney in question and Rossi confirmed that while the building is unsafe to occupy, there are no concerns about the exterior structure falling or harming the public.

“The bell tower is definitely caving a little bit internally, so I wouldn’t go in there,” Rossi said. “That’s why we’ve got them out of there at this point and trying to get them permanently out of there in terms of files, records, and getting everything together.”

During the meeting, which was held on Sept. 23, The Village Board of Trustees approved several resolutions to handle the change in venue. In total four resolutions were passed by the board. 

Under the resolutions, court functions would be spread out across four properties. Regularly scheduled court sessions would be held in the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors room, located at 40 McMaster in an agreement that would go from September 27 through March 31, arraignments would be held at the Milton Town Court, located at 345 Rowland Street in an agreement that would go from September 27 through March 31 and court records storage and other administrative functions would be handled in leased space at 199 Milton Avenue units five and eleven. 

If the Milton Town Court is unable to handle an arraignment, however, arraignments could also be handled at 199 Milton Avenue. If this were to take place, additional law enforcement personnel would be required in these cases as the building is not currently set up to handle these matters. 

The final resolution authorized the village to apply for $30,000 in grants to digitize court records. 

While all resolutions passed unanimously, speakers during public comment expressed concerns that the building on 30 Bath Street was allowed to fall into disrepair and questioned the mayor and Board of Trustees about the process. They specifically questioned the timing of the special meeting, which took place during most people’s working hours.

As for the future of the court, Rossi said that before a permanent home for the court is sought, the village will first look at what the long-term plans are for County offices located in the village to see if they’re planning on relocating, something that has been a topic of discussion since the county issued a request for proposals for a possible new office building in June.

SCHC Announces 2026 Saratoga County Public History Award Winners

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured.

(Christopher Carola)
(Mary Ann Fitzgerald)

The Saratoga County History Center Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the winners of the fifth annual Saratoga County Public History Awards. This award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to extending knowledge and understanding of the history of Saratoga County. A celebratory event will be held at Brookside Museum on Thursday, October 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., including a reception on the front porch of the museum beginning at 6.

The 2026 recipients of the award are Christopher Carola, former Albany-based Associated Press reporter and current Trustee of the Friends of the New York State Military Museum, and Mary Ann Fitzgerald, retired Saratoga Springs City Historian. 

Christopher Carola is a Mechanicville native and former journalist who has worked to increase the visibility and recognition of our local histories throughout his career. Across three decades as a reporter and editor for The Associated Press in Albany, Carola wrote numerous stories about Saratoga and other New York history, from the origins of thoroughbred racing at Saratoga Springs to the significance of the Battles of Saratoga, shining a spotlight on local history for regional, national and international audiences via the AP’s global news network. His current focus is a fundraising campaign for the preservation of the Mechanicville District Public Library’s Charles Siciliano Sr. WWII and Korean War Veterans Photograph Collection, an ongoing effort supported by his public presentations telling the story of this unique photo archive. Carola also currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Friends of the New York State Military Museum and is a member of the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance.

Mary Ann Fitzgerald served as Saratoga Springs City Historian for more than twenty years, until her retirement in October 2025. In 1998, she co-founded the volunteer West Side Oral Narrative Project, and she graduated from Skidmore College’s University Without Walls in 2000. From 2001 to 2003, Fitzgerald worked with the George S. Bolster Collection at the Saratoga Springs History Museum, featuring unique photographic images of the Spa City collected and preserved by the late local photographer. She served on the curatorial committee of the 2015 “Saratoga Springs in Maps” exhibition and authors the “This Week in Saratoga County History” column. Fitzgerald is regularly consulted as the city’s authority on local history, and continues to lead popular history walking tours, including the upcoming, sold-out Heart of Dublin Tour, hosted by the Saratoga County History Center. 

The public is encouraged to honor this year’s honorees by joining in the celebration on October 8. This event is free, but advance registration is encouraged at www.brooksidemuseum.org. 

NYS Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, Derrick Legall Reflects on his Impact

Written by Aidan Clark on . Posted in Featured, Sports.

Derrick Legall Honored by Saratoga Springs Little League for NYS Baseball Hall of Fame Nomination.

Saratoga Springs Little League president, Derrick Legall, will be inducted into the class of 2026 New York State Baseball Hall of Fame in November. Naturally, one’s first question is: when did you start playing baseball?

“It’s funny you ask that question. Really, growing up, I did not play a lot of baseball, I played soccer,” said Legall. “But I got involved with baseball when my son started playing, so that’s where my passion for the game came in.”

Legall, as is the case of many fathers, stepped in to coach his son’s little league team in 2002. But when his son reached early adolescence, Legall put down the whistle and clip board.

“He needed somebody else to coach [him] because he doesn’t listen to me. It [was] time for somebody else to coach him,” Legall reflected. 

However, Legall saw the ability of the program to bring the community together, leading to him joining the board of directors and eventually be elected president.

“Back then it used to be the East side and the West side. We used to have what’s called the Mayor’s Cup at the end of every season. I got involved because it was a big community event and I wanted to keep that tradition.” 

During his more than two-decade tenure as president, Legall’s most overtly transformative project was the renovation of West Side Recreation Park—an effort accomplished entirely without taxpayer dollars. 

While installing the field lights alone reached the six-figure mark, the project was successfully funded through fundraising and donations from community institutions. Similarly, the concession stand required funding only for its materials, as a local builder donated the construction labor entirely.

Yet, for all the physical transformation of the park, Legall considers the Challenger Program to be his most enduring legacy

“There was not any program for these kids that are challenged, mentally and physically, to get involved in a sport. We started the Challenger program and that program is in its fourteenth year. To me, that was the proudest of our moments. We gave kids an opportunity to play sports, become team members, and have fun,” said Legall. 

Legall embodies a community champion, someone who is called to serve others. Alas, Legall does not cherish the spotlight; he even was hesitant about the focus of this article. Because, for Legall, nothing should divert our attention from what is paramount: our future.

“I believe that we have to invest in our future, and our future is our kids. If we are not investing in our kids, then who is going to do it? My goal in life has always been, if I can reach one child, then my mission has been accomplished,” said Legall.

When asked about what it means to be selected to be inducted into the Hall of Fame he said,

“First of all, I’m humble. It has been a passion of mine to invest in our youth of the city, and to make sure I leave a legacy where they are much stronger and know that this community means a lot to them. I truly believe this community cares about kids, we just don’t hear about it and see it enough.”

Legall, along with 15 other inductees in the class of 2026, will be commemorated on Sunday, November 22, in Troy. 

Ballston Spa Girls’ Soccer Beats Shenendehowa, “It’s Been Such a Long Time”

Written by Aidan Clark on . Posted in Featured, Sports.

(Courtesy of Aidan Clark)
Coach Thomas Rogan on the Ballston Spa Sideline Versus Shen (Courtesy of Aidan Clark)

Girls’ soccer Suburban Council contender Ballston Spa bested rival Shenendehowa at home on Tuesday night. In head coach Tom Rogan’s second season with the Scotties, the goal is to win the Suburban council for the first time in program history. 

A 2-0 scoreline to Ballston Spa conceals the fact that Shenendehowa played a large part of the game in their opponent’s half, creating scoring opportunities that would find the back of the net on another day. 

The deadlock stood for over an hour into the game until captain Leah Szmarz struck a free kick 25 yards from goal under the jumping wall of Shen, finding Meave McLoughlin with only the goalkeeper to beat at the back post. 

Minutes later with Shen pushing for an equalizing goal, the ball was cleared to Szmarz, who found enough time and space at the top of the box to turn the last defender. Her dribble took her to the right of the goal, favoring the goalkeeper. However, a crisp knee-height shot caused the goalkeeper to parry the ball into the path of crashing Abby Werner. 

Ballston Spa was then able to manage the ever-running clock by congesting their defense and chasing long balls to the opposing corner flag until the final whistle from the referee. 

The Scotties currently have a perfect 2-0 record and are second in the Suburban Council. 

Still, Coach Rogan advised caution in his postgame team talk. 

“It’s a wonderful win, but the suburban council is an incredibly deep and difficult league,” Rogan said. “We have to play Shaker on Thursday and if you go down there and you’re enjoying the win too much, Shaker will beat you.”  

The team was apt to receive this message from their coach, who boasts nine section titles over 26 seasons with Bethlehem and was inducted into the New York State High School Girls’ Soccer Hall of Fame prior to the season.

For captain Abby Werner, this win is an indication of progress and possibility. “Shen is obviously a very good team, and we ourselves are also very good,” she said. “It feels really good to win since it’s been such a long time since we’ve been able to pull through with this win. It makes me really excited to see what our team can do during sectionals and hopefully move on towards a state championship.”