High School Scores & Highlights: Saratoga Running Back Leads New York State
BLUE STREAKS SHATTER SHAKER, CORYEA ASTONISHES
The Saratoga Springs varsity football team snapped a long losing streak to Shaker with a 28-21 victory last Friday night. For the Blue Streaks, who are now 3-1 on the season, quarterback Bobby Morris completed 7 of 11 passes for 56 yards while senior running back Benjamin Coryea rushed for an astounding 334 yards on 41 carries, reaching the endzone 4 times. In just four games this season, Coryea has accumulated 822 rushing yards on 99 carries for an average of 8.3 yards per carry. He’s scored a touchdown at least once in every game, including three times against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake on Sept. 12. According to stats compiled on MaxPreps, Coryea currently has more total rushing yards than any other high school football player in New York State, averaging 205.5 per game. The second-highest yardage total is 687, far behind Coryea.
The Blue Streaks next face Colonie Central on Friday night.
STATE CHAMP SCHUYLERVILLE UNDEFEATED THROUGH FOUR
The Schuylerville varsity football team, reigning Class C state champions, continued their unbeaten streak last Friday with a 41 to 16 win against Granville/Whitehall. The Horses dominated early, leading 27 to 0 at halftime. Granville scored all 16 of its points in the third quarter, but Schuylerville nailed the coffin shut with 14 additional points in the second half. For the Black Horses, sophomore Ernie DaCosta rushed for 116 yards on 10 carries, scoring 2 touchdowns. DaCosta also led the team in receptions, nabbing the ball twice for 50 receiving yards and another touchdown. Senior quarterback Ben VanVegthen had 50 passing yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception while also contributing 48 rushing yards and a rushing TD of his own. Junior Max Montgomery also chipped in 68 rushing yards and found the endzone.
The undefeated 4-0 Horses next face Hoosick Falls/Tamarac on Friday night.
SARATOGA FIELD HOCKEY WINS 4 STRAIGHT
The Saratoga Springs varsity field hockey team won four games in a row to close out September, including two dominant 8-0 shutout victories against Shaker and Columbia.
Against Shaker on Sept. 29, standout Mia Khazin had 3 goals for the Blue Streaks; Andi Shiffer added 3 goals and 1 assist; and Madison Finn and Roisin Finnegan added another goal each. Overall, Saratoga took 23 shots while Shaker had none.
Against Columbia on Sept. 26, Finn earned 3 goals and 1 assist; Khazin had 2 goals and 1 assist; and Catie Firehock, Andi Shiffer, and Finnegan each contributed 1 goal apiece. Alexis Georgeadis also earned 4 saves.
The field hockey team is now 9-2 on the season heading into an Oct. 3 contest at Niskayuna.
SPA CATHOLIC VOLLEYBALL SQUAD VICTORIOUS
The Saratoga Central Catholic volleyball team improved to 9-4-1 on the season after beating Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons 3-1. For the Saints, Emery Moser had 8 aces, 9 kills, and 19 assists; Brooke Nucera earned 15 assists and 2 aces; and Gia Roche had 11 kills and 6 aces.
BLACK HORSES SHUT OUT SCOTIA, BEAT BROADALBIN
Colden Harrison recorded a hat trick to lead the Schuylerville boys soccer team to a 3-0 win. Dean Barraclough and Thomas Tyler each contributed an assist, and Ethan Spodnick earned a save for the Black Horses, who are now 4-4-2 overall and 4-0 in their league.
Prior to the shutout, Schuylerville defeated Broadalbin-Perth on Sept. 24, 4 to 1. After a scoreless first half, the Horses scored 4 goals in seven minutes to begin the second half and cruised to victory. Thomas Tyler tallied 2 goals and an assist, while Colden Harrison had one goal and an assist. Dean Barraclough also had a goal. Schuylerville and Broadalbin battled through torrential rain throughout the match.
SAINTS SOCCER WIN AGAIN
On Sept. 22, the Saratoga Central Catholic girls soccer team trounced Watervliet 7 to 1 at Gavin Park. For the Saints, co-captain Addison Quail earned 4 goals to lead the way, while Alison Fuller found the net twice, and Sophia Ryan chipped in a goal as well. Spa Catholic followed up the W with another victory (2-0 against Gloversville on Sept. 26) and a loss (3-0 to Corinth). The team’s season record stood at 4-6-1 heading into an Oct. 2 showdown with Whitehall.
SSCSD Becomes First District in the Country to Offer K–12 Biking Program
“It is nothing short of amazing that this K–12 initiative to get all SSCSD kids on bikes got funded and rolled out in three years,” said Kelsey Allen, Physical Education Department Head. “This could not have been done without the vision, passion, and dedication of Anna Laloë and the rest of the Shredders organization. Anna went to Coach Ricupero at Greenfield Elementary in the fall of 2022 with a vision and a plan. Only three years later, that vision is now a reality! The positive impact this programming will have on our students, school, and community is infinite. Our physical education teachers are dedicated to running this program and making sure all kids, K–12, have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to ride bikes for the rest of their lives.”
“We are so grateful for the incredible collaboration with the Saratoga Springs City School District over the last three years,” said Anna Laloë, Executive Director of Saratoga Shredders. “Thanks to the generosity of our local individual and foundation donors, Shredders MTB raised over $100,000 to provide more than 250 bikes, helmets, curriculum, and teacher training to the district. In September, we made history as the first district in the nation to bring biking into the physical education curriculum from kindergarten through 12th grade. It’s an exciting milestone for Saratoga and a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together to remove barriers and create opportunities for all kids.”
The district celebrated the program’s completion with a High School Mountain Bike Roll-Out Celebration on September 26, where students, teachers, and representatives from the Saratoga Shredders showcased the new high school bikes and shared their excitement for the initiative.
New Numbers Show Economic Impact of Battlefield on Local Area
A new National Park Service report shows that 116,537 visitors to Saratoga National Historical Park in 2024 spent $8,200,000 in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $10,383,000.
“People come to Saratoga National Historical Park to enjoy and explore the historic landscapes where the pivotal Battles of Saratoga and the resulting first surrender of a British army took place and end up supporting the US and local economies along the way,” said Superintendent Leslie Morlock. “We’re proud that Saratoga National Historical Park generates $10.4 million in revenue to communities near the park.”
The National Park Service report, 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks. This spending provided $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $11.1 billion in economic output. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.7 billion in economic output.
An interactive tool is available to explore visitor spending, labor income, and total economic contribution by sector for national, state and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available on the NPS website.
To learn more about national parks in New York and how the National Park Service works with New York communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/newyork.
One Rescued from Mohawk River in Halfmoon
On Monday, September 29, 2025, at approximately 6:56 AM, the Halfmoon Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Terminal Drive in the Town of Halfmoon for a report of a person in the water in need of assistance.
First responders were on scene within minutes, including the Chief of the neighboring West Crescent Fire Department. The West Crescent Fire Chief visually located the subject in the Mohawk River, east of his position, and quickly relayed the information to Halfmoon Fire Department Command. Responders were then redirected to a residence on Church Hill Road, and a second alarm was requested to bring in additional resources.
A firefighter from the Halfmoon Fire Department utilized a kayak to reach and secure the individual, who was still conscious and above water. With the assistance of the West Crescent Fire Department’s rescue boat, the subject was safely removed from the Mohawk River and transported to a nearby boat dock. From there, emergency medical services from Clifton Park Halfmoon Ambulance provided treatment and transported the individual to a local hospital.
“We are proud of the swift and coordinated efforts of all agencies involved,” said Chief Tony Bonventre of the Halfmoon-Waterford Fire District #1. “This successful rescue highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation and the unwavering dedication of our first responders.”
In total, eleven fire, EMS and law enforcement agencies responded to the rescue including the aforementioned Clifton Park Halfmoon Ambulance and West Crescent Fire Department, as well as the Waterford, Northside, Hillcrest, Boght, and Verdoy Fire Departments. Colonie EMS, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Police also responded.
Joel Moss, Grammy Winner and Caffe Lena Fixture, Dies at 79
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Joel Moss, a six-time Grammy Award winner who served as Caffe Lena’s broadcast and sound technician, passed away last week at the age of 79.
“It never failed to amaze us that a man who produced records for Johnny Cash, Tony Bennett, The Talking Heads, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and hundreds of others, believed so much in the community of Saratoga Springs and the value of Caffe Lena, that he spent his evenings running our livestream cameras and recording our shows,” the famed folk venue said in a statement. “He was passionately committed to recording every show that happened at Caffe Lena because he felt that Lena’s stage is a national treasure and what happens on it is important. You never know when you’ll capture lightning in a bottle. When he saw that special spark in an artist, he told everyone–whether the artist was 10 years old, was playing their first show, or was an under-appreciated treasure who had put in decades on the road. Joel’s presence and faith elevated the Caffe in the eyes of many, and we are forever richer because of our time with him. We send condolences to his family (he loved you so much and talked about you all the time), innumerable friends, and all the local musicians who had the opportunity to work with him in the studio.”
Moss had a long and illustrious career in the music world, recording albums for artists such as Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, Little Richard, and Joe Cocker. For his efforts, he was awarded multiple Grammys, an Academy Award, and two Emmy nominations. His life and career began in Detroit, where he led a Hebrew folk quintet called The Hi-Liters that played at Lena in 1963. In the Saratoga area, he recorded and produced several albums for charity, including “A Saratoga Christmas Wish,” which raised $70,000 for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York.
To honor Moss’ remarkable legacy, Lena will host “Where the Music Never Dies: A Celebration of Joel Moss” on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The public is invited to gather at Trask Memorial Staircase at the south end of Congress Park at 4:30 p.m. A parade led by New Orleans musician Glen David Andrews will take off at 5 p.m. and attendees will clap, dance, and sing their way to Caffe Lena.
Music and speakers will start at the Caffe, both indoors and out, at 5:30 and end at 9. There will be an outdoor video screen to share what’s happening inside, and the whole event will be livestreamed on YouTube and Caffe Lena TV.
Ballston Spa National Bank Announces Merger: $1.3 Billion Bank Being Created
BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa Bancorp, holding company for Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB), and NBC Bancorp, holding company for The National Bank of Coxsackie (NBC), jointly announced on Wednesday morning a merger whereby the banks will combine forces and create a $1.3 billion community bank serving the greater Capital District and surrounding markets.
The combined bank will conduct business under the BSNB charter, with the NBC locations known as “Coxsackie Bank, a division of Ballston Spa National Bank.”
“In addition to the elevated presence in our communities, the combined company will have a larger market capitalization, greater lending limit and increased visibility and liquidity, unlocking value for both sets of shareholders,” said Christopher R. Dowd, president and CEO of BSNB, in a news release. “Consumers and businesses in the Capital Region have a demonstrated need for personalized service, greater flexibility and diversity in products. Together, we can address those needs faster and more effectively.”
“Both our banks have similar cultures, values and philosophies,” said John A. Balli, president and CEO of NBC. “Joining forces will expand our combined footprint, create a larger, more competitive institution in the Capital Region and open the door to new opportunities for lending, investment and community partnerships.”
The combined company’s Board of Directors will consist of nine directors from BSNB and four directors from NBC. Richard P. Sleasman, the current Chairman of BSNB’s Board of Directors, will serve as Chairperson of the Board of the combined company and the combined bank.
Christopher R. Dowd, the current President and CEO of BSNB, will serve as Chief Executive Officer, and John A. Balli, the current President and CEO of NBC, will become President of the combined bank. James Dodd, current EVP and Chief Financial Officer of BSNB, and Jim Conroy, EVP and Chief Banking Officer of BSNB, will remain in their current positions. Caitlin McCrea, SVP and Chief Financial Officer of NBC, will become SVP of Finance and Treasurer for the combined bank.
The Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction, and all board members from both sides have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the merger. Completion of the merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the banking agencies and shareholders of both companies, and closing is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2026. The combined holding company will be known as Ballston Spa Bancorp, Inc. and trade under its existing symbol of BSPA. Ballston Spa Bancorp, Inc. currently trades on OTCPK and intends to apply to be quoted on the OTCQX in anticipation of closing.
Founded in 1838, Ballston Spa National Bank (“BSNB”) is the wholly owned subsidiary of Ballston Spa Bancorp, Inc. As of June 30, 2025, BSNB manages approximately $912 million in total assets and serves individuals, businesses, organizations and families through 13 full-service branches across Albany and Saratoga Counties in New York State.
Established in 1852, The National Bank of Coxsackie (“NBC”) is the wholly owned subsidiary of NBC Bancorp, Inc. As of June 30, 2025, NBC holds $525 million in total assets and serves its community through 8 full-service branches across Albany, Greene, and Schoharie Counties in New York State, with an additional commercial loan production and administrative office in Latham.
Lake George Man Arrested for Trying to Sell Counterfeit Labubu at Wilton Mall
A Lake George man was arrested in Wilton after he tried to sell counterfeit Labubu at the Casual Girl store in Wilton Mall.
Steven Solimanto, 75, was arrested on the afternoon of Sept. 21 after the Saratoga Sherriff’s Department received a complaint of counterfeiting from the store.
Solimanto allegedly tried to sell over $1000 worth of the counterfeit plush dolls. He was charged with 2nd degree trademark counterfeiting and was released on an appearance ticket.
The dolls Solimanto is accused of counterfeiting are made by Chinese company Pop Mart and were designed by Hong Kong born, Dutch raised, designer Kasing Lung. Based on European folklore, the dolls were first designed in 2015 and later licensed to Pop Mart in 2019, according to design media firm The Art Gorgeous. In 2025 alone, the line of dolls and other merchandise has brought in over $500 million for the company, according to an earnings report from June.
While the dolls’ unique appearance may seem like the biggest threat, the prominence of fake dolls and keychains — referred to by some as “Lafufu” — led to an urgent warning from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in August.
“These fakes, sold both as plush figures and plush keychains, are small enough for a child to fit the doll in their mouth and block their airway,” the warning said. “CPSC has also received reports of fake Labubu dolls that break apart easily, releasing small pieces that can become choking hazards.”
In light of the fakes, the CPSC recommends consumers to the following to ensure they’re purchasing authentic dolls.
• Beware of bargains — deep discounts can signal fake products.
• Authentic Pop Mart Labubu dolls feature a holographic Pop Mart sticker, a scannable QR code linking to the official Pop Mart site, and (on newer editions) a subtle UV stamp on one foot.
• Fakes often have overly bright colors or the wrong number of teeth (authentic dolls have nine).
• Know your seller — purchase only from trusted stores or online marketplaces.
• Check safety labeling — for toys with small parts, look for choking hazard warnings and independent safety certification marks.
100 Years of Service and Counting: Park Named for McTygue Family
On the west side of Saratoga Springs is a neighborhood known for Greek and Victorian style buildings intermixed with modern shops and market.
While the Franklin Square neighborhood used to be the site of hotels and the city’s rail stop, the area is filled with small businesses and residences. Among the old and new is a small park with colorful fountain, trees and benches.
Now the park will bear the name of a McTygue family, a family who’s lineage includes a city judge, several Public Works Commissioners and a legacy and a legacy that can be seen by all residents across the city.
“If there’s a family name that deserves to have a plaque and a little park in their name, it’s the McTygues,” said Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford.
The park was officially renamed in a ceremony held on Sept. 20 at the park after the Saratoga Springs City Council unanimously approved the renaming back in December 2024. Funding for the name plaque came from local developer Robert Israel and Builder Sonny Bonacio who worked with Thomas McTygue in developing the area and creating the park.
Thomas McTygue served as Public Works Commissioner from 1972-1978 and from 1982-2008. Isreal said that prior to the park’s creation, there were traffic and safety concerns stemming from the unused piece of roadway in the spot where the park now stands. While there had been plans to create something, it wasn’t until Thomas’ gave his go ahead that the plan went ahead.
“He [ Thomas] said, Bob, you put up the money, I’ll put up all the men,” Isreal said in reference to a conversation he had with Thomas. “I gave the money for the initial park, and two weeks later, he had his entire crew here; digging up the street, planting trees, putting water lines, putting in the plants, and installing the fountain. We never had a dedication because probably everyone thought it was going to turn into a weed plot, but it turned out really great.”
Bonacio told a similar story of running into Thomas when he first started his work in the area. According to Bonacio, he was looking at a property in Franklin Square when Thomas pulled up in a city truck and asked what he was doing. When Bonacio told Thomas he was looking to follow Isreal’s lead in buying and restoring a building in the neighborhood, Thomas cracked a joke but encouraged Bonacio to go for it.
“He looked at me and shook his head,” Bonacio recalled “He goes, ‘Bob’s nuts, you know. But I’m hoping that you will do that so that me, you and Bob can actually do the park across the street.’”
In addition to Thomas’ work as Comissioner of Public Works, several other members of the family have played key roles in the history of the city. It started with Michael McTygue who served as City Judge from 1918-1924 and continued with Charles McTygue, Thomas’ father who also served as Commissioner of Public Works from 1947-1965 and his brother William McTygue who served as Deputy Commissioner and Director of Public Works from 1999-2010.
William continues to serve the city as a member of the city’s planning board.
Beyond just the park, the McTygue family was also instrumental in the preservation of the Canfield Casino, and Kaydeross Park Carousel — among other projects.
In her remarks, Lisa McTygue, Thomas’ daughter, thanked those who made the park happen and for recognizing the work of her family. She also expressed hope that people would continue to use the park.
“We hope this park will continue to be a place of gathering, reflection and joy,” Lisa said.