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Local Girls Hockey Team Wins Second-Straight Championship

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Featured, Sports.


The Adirondack United girls ice hockey team celebrates after winning back-to-back regional championships. Photo via the Adirondack United.

UTICA — The Adirondack United girls hockey team, which includes players from Saratoga Springs High School, captured their second-straight New York regional championship last Saturday in Utica, defeating the previously undefeated Skaneateles 3 to 1.

Adirondack’s three goals were scored by Aubrey Lozier, Kady Duffy, and Gianna Marcantonio.

Skaneateles scored first in the contest, putting the United on notice with 5:30 left in the first period. But Adirondack responded with two quick goals in the second stanza that were made within one minute of each other. Then the United lit the lamp once more in the final period to put the nail in the coffin, securing another title victory.

Last year, the girls were crowned regional champs after a 7-3 win over Kenmore-Grand Island. In that season, they finished with an undefeated 14-0 record. 2023 was the ice squad’s 

inaugural season, in which they finished with a 19-2 record but lost to Clinton in the state title game.

Saratoga Springs City Council Race -Dems Say “We Hope To Appeal”

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Featured, News.

BALLSTON SPA — Interim DPW Commissioner Hank Kuczynski remains seated as a member of the City Council following a too-close-to-call special election in January, a subsequent ruling by a county State Supreme Court Judge on Feb. 14, and in advance of a potential appeal that may ultimately play out in the appellate division of the State of New York Supreme Court. 

Approximately 3,500 votes were cast the citywide special election for the Saratoga Springs DPW Commissioner/ fifth City Council seat between Republican candidate Charles (Chuck) Marshall – whose name was pre-printed on the ballot, and Democratic write-in candidate Hank Kuczynski. The unofficial results showed the candidates separated by approximately one dozen votes. 

Republicans objected to just over 100 of the ballots, and on Feb. 14 Saratoga County State Supreme Court Judge James Walsh released his 12-page decision.  Judge Walsh, a Republican, ruled invalid several dozen votes of the ballots that Democrats said showed voter intent for write-in candidate Kuczynski, and which Republicans objected to.  

Specific to the ballots ruled invalid: 63 showed the written word Dem, or Democratic, or Democrat, on an area outside the ballot area designated for the write-in vote; 14 had candidate Kuczynski’s name correctly written in the write-in box, but showed his name also written additionally in other areas of the ballot, and a handful of others depicted discrepancies in either name or in writings on the physical ballot.  

Following the judge’s ruling, Republican candidate Marshall was shown to emerge with a margin of victory essentially equal to the number of ballots ruled as invalid. Approximately two dozen undervotes – ballots cast but with no voting machine discernible candidate preference – were not believed to have been involved in the judge’s ruling, and their status remains not known.      

“In a democracy, adherence to rules is fundamental, especially during elections,” the Saratoga Springs Republican Party responded in a statement.  “We have full confidence that Commissioner Marshall will hit the ground running and serve the entire city with dedication and integrity, making all citizens proud, regardless of how they voted.”

Democrats, however, said they had yet to come to consensus about whether to appeal the judge’s ruling and that a court transcript was requested and review by appellate counsel underway. 

“It’s extremely disappointing to see this partisan effort to disenfranchise 90 voters and invalidate their ballots despite absolutely clear voter intent,” interim commissioner Kuczynski said Feb. 18. “We hope to appeal the judge’s ruling and look forward to the court of appeals protecting every vote of every Saratogian.”   

As of Feb. 19, the county Board of Elections had yet to conduct a final canvassing of the ballots; the completion of the adjudication of ballots and an understanding of whether or not an appeal will be conducted is necessary before the election may be officially certified. 

Saratoga School Board Approves $142.8 Million Capital Project Referendum

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


A rendering shows what a renovated Saratoga Springs High School auditorium would look like if the district’s capital project is approved by voters in May. Photo provided.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Feb. 13, the Saratoga Springs City School District Board of Education approved the Legacy 2025 Capital Project referendum, a $142.8 million initiative aimed at districtwide improvements and renovations. The referendum will be presented to residents for approval on May 20.

The proposal includes modernizing additional classrooms; renovating selected bathrooms and kitchens; improving accessibility and energy efficiencies; and replacing select roofs, doors, and windows. The project will also include renovations to the high school auditorium, with new seats, carpeting, and finishes. Improvements will be made to existing athletic facilities as well, including resurfacing the track and installing turf on the infield of the softball field at Saratoga Springs High School.

Broken down by school, the project will include:

Caroline Street Elementary School

Select classroom renovations
Select bathroom renovations
Security enhancements
Building improvements and energy efficiencies
Window replacement
Roof reconstruction
ADA compliance upgrades

Division Street Elementary School

Select classroom renovations
Select bathroom renovations
Security enhancements
Building improvements and energy efficiencies
Window replacement
Roof reconstruction
ADA compliance upgrades

Dorothy Nolan Elementary School

Nurse’s suite renovation
Select classroom renovations
Select bathroom renovations
Security enhancements
Building improvements and energy efficiencies
Window replacement
Roof reconstruction
Geyser Road Elementary School
Nurse’s suite renovation
Select classroom renovations
Select bathroom renovations
Building improvements and energy efficiencies
Window replacement
Roof reconstruction
Boiler replacement

Greenfield Elementary School

Select classroom renovations
Replace septic drain
Security enhancements
Building improvements and energy efficiencies
Window replacement
Boiler replacement
Roof reconstruction

Lake Avenue Elementary School

Library renovations
Auditorium renovations
Select classrooms renovations
Security enhancements
Building improvements and energy efficiencies
Roof reconstruction
Elevator modernization

Maple Avenue Middle School

Select classroom renovations
Select bathroom renovations
Security enhancements
Building improvements and energy efficiencies
Roof reconstruction

Saratoga Springs High School

Auditorium renovation
Select classroom renovations
Select bathroom renovations
Building improvements and energy efficiencies
Roof reconstruction
Elevator modernization
Boiler replacement
Athletic improvements
Varsity softball turf infield
Resurface track

The district anticipates that no additional taxes will be required to fund the project. Instead, funding will come from state building aid, Capital Reserve Funds, and expiring existing debt.

To help shape the scope of this project, the Legacy Referendum Advisory Committee, composed of over forty stakeholders from the community and school district, met from March to October 2024. This committee helped identify priorities for the scope of work and made recommendations to the Board of Education.

A capital project newsletter will be mailed to all district residents in April 2025.

Saratoga Ski Teams Capture Section 2 Titles

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Featured, Sports.

The Saratoga Springs boys Alpine ski team and the girls Nordic ski team pose after winning their respective Section 2 titles last week. Photos via Section 2 Athletics.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — For some, the slopes of Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks are a fearsome sight to behold. But for Saratoga Springs High School skiers, the towering peak was the site of championship victories.

The Blue Streaks boys Alpine ski team won the Section 2 title last week, with three of their competitors finishing in the top 10 of both the slalom and the giant slalom.  

Not to be outdone, the girls Nordic ski team also captured a sectional championship, led by a second-place finish by Anna Yarsevich and top-five finishes from Emma Murray and Sophia Murray.

Both boys and girls who qualified will be back at Gore Mountain next Monday for the state championships.

Ballston Spa Wrestlers Capture Section 2 Class B Championship

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Featured, Sports.


The Ballston Spa varsity wrestling team poses after winning the Section 2 Class B tournament held at Ballston Spa High School last weekend. Photo via Section 2 Athletics.

BALLSTON SPA — The wrestling postseason kicked off with a bang last weekend when the Ballston Spa varsity boys team won the Section 2 Class B tournament held at their high school. Three Scotties also captured individual titles.

B-Spa earned a team score of 245.5, beating second-place finisher Averill Park (212). Columbia (145.5), Queensbury (136), Christian Brothers Academy (134), Bethlehem (107), South Glens Falls (87), Mohonasen (74), and Burnt Hills (69) rounded out the rest of the competition.

Scotties Mason Insogna (145 lbs), James Capasso (170 lbs), and Sean Pausley (285 lbs) were all crowned individual champions. Four B-Spa’ers captured silver: Gavin Whipple (131 lbs), Aonghus Paige (152 lbs), Tyler Perkins (160 lbs), Jacob Thomas (190 lbs), and Ben Livingston (215 lbs). Max Kinsey (145 lbs) and Ben Robertson (152 lbs) finished fourth, while Steven Bondar (116 lbs) and Liam Collins (131 lbs) each placed fifth in the tournament.

The victories set the stage for the upcoming state qualifiers being held at Guilderland High School this weekend.

Ballston Spa School Officials Warn that Electric Bus Mandate Could Make Driver Shortage Worse

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Education, Featured.


Photo of an electric school bus being charged via the The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

BALLSTON SPA — The looming electric school bus mandate could make the ongoing driver shortage worse in the coming years due to the limited range of zero-emissions vehicles, warned two Ballston Spa School District officials at a Board of Education meeting last week.

Clerk of the Board and Records Access Officer Brian Sirianni, during his 2026 budget presentation, said he hopes that the mandate will be delayed, “not because the administration is anti-environment or anything like that; it’s just that those buses and the technology that they have today are not a good purchase and nobody is ready to pay for and implement all of the infrastructure that needs to be done to charge those buses.”

Sirianni said he supported attempts by various state legislators to delay the mandate’s implementation because in several years, the quality of electric buses is expected to improve. As it stands, a fully charged bus would be unable to cover the distance of some of the district’s runs.

School Board President Jason Fernau said that districts around the state, especially in more rural areas, are finding that they would have to increase the number of buses in their fleets if forced to use the current crop of electric vehicles because some runs previously handled by one bus would need to be covered by two. And if more buses are needed, so too would more drivers be required. 

“Potentially, a conversion to [electric vehicles] is going to make [the driver shortage] issue worse in the future,” Fernau said.

“Yep, that’s exactly right,” Sirianni added.

Sirianni also said that if efforts to delay the mandate fail, the district may purchase one electric bus for next year to act as a pilot program.

State Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake) has criticized the mandate, stating that no provisions have been made for geographical disparities, diverse weather conditions, or unique travel demands.

“We need a reasonable approach, like the legislation I’m sponsoring Senate Bill 8467, to rescind the electric school bus mandate that will cost school districts in New York State billions of dollars, and replace it with a state-funded pilot program that enables school districts to test and evaluate how these electric buses perform,” Tedisco said in a statement in December.

The bus mandate requires school districts across the state to begin transitioning their transportation fleets to zero-emission vehicles in 2027. By 2035, all buses on the road must be zero-emission.

Electric buses can cost as much as $400,000, nearly three-times the cost of a diesel or gasoline bus. According to New York State’s Electric School Bus Roadmap report, “the total cost of [zero-emission school bus] ownership is expected to reach parity by 2027 due to advances in battery technology, increased supply chain outputs, as well as lower fuel and maintenance expenses.”

Real ID Required Starting May 7 – How To Get It

Written by Nicholas Rodd on . Posted in Featured, News.

SARATOGA SPRINGS – May 7 marks the day when all U.S. citizens will see a change to rules surrounding their ID cards as the country shifts to what is known as the Real ID. 

This new ID is more than a cosmetic change, as every person will need one if they plan to enter a federal government building, board a domestic commercial flight, or enter a nuclear power facility.

A Real ID can be recognized by the small star symbol on the card, which indicates its federal compliance with DHS regulations. 

There is another acceptable form of ID within New York State that meets the same level of criteria as the Real ID. This is known as an Enhanced Driver License (EDL), which can be identified by the flag symbol on the card. However, this enhanced license is different in just a few ways, such as using it to cross the border back into the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries, which the Real ID does not permit. An EDL cannot be used for international air travel. 

To obtain a Real ID or EDL, residents are required to visit their local DMV office with a list of documents to verify identity and residency within the state. It is not possible to initially obtain either ID type online. A list of specific documents and other requirements are as follows.

One proof of identity, such as U.S. birth certificate, proof of legal presence, or a passport.

Two proofs of physical address within New York State.

A social security card if issued one, or other acceptable alternatives that show a person’s SSN such as a W-2 form, an SSA-1099 form, a non-SSA-1099 form, or a pay stub with the person’s SSN on it.

A current driver license for those looking to exchange one issued by another state.

First-time applicants will be required to take a new photo for their ID.

Those upgrading to a Real ID will not pay any additional fees other than the standard DMV license renewal fee. Those upgrading to an EDL will pay an extra $30 for making the change.

All information about the two ID types including features and payment information can be found on the New York State DMV website, along with a document guide with a checklist of everything required when securing an upgrade.

Those who have an Enhanced Driver License or a valid passport will not be required to obtain a Real ID for domestic travel. Those under the age of 18 also will not be required to obtain a Real ID, however, any adult traveling with a minor will still have to show a Real ID, EDL, or passport when going through TSA. Those who do not plan to travel or enter federal facilities also will not be required to obtain a Real ID or EDL. A Real ID cannot be used for international travel of any kind, so it is not a replacement for a passport. 

This change to the ID system has been a long time coming, with the new standards initially set by the U.S. Congress in 2005. This piece of legislation looked to increase the standard for identification verification, following the recommendations laid out in the final report by the 9/11 Commission, with enforcement initially set for 2008. However, due to numerous setbacks in integration nationwide, that enforcement has been continuously delayed, with some of the most recent of those delays coming in 2020 and 2022 due to COVID-19 disruptions, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The goal of the Real ID, according to the department’s website, is to ensure a higher standard of identification for those accessing federally run facilities and flights.

For more information about the Real ID and a detailed list of frequently asked questions, visit https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/about-real-id. 

James Murphy: A Lifetime of Service in Saratoga Honored

Written by Thomas Dimopoulos on . Posted in Featured, News.


NYS Court of Claims Judge Kathleen B. Hogan and James A. Murphy, III, unveil a portrait of Murphy at a ceremony in Ballston Spa on Feb. 7, 2025. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos.

BALLSTON SPA — A ceremony celebrating James Murphy’s decades of service to the community was held at the Saratoga County Court complex in Ballston Spa Feb. 7.   

Murphy retired in December as Saratoga County Court Judge and Acting Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, after 10 years of service.

Draped in black judicial robes, Murphy was gracious with his comments toward all who packed into the courtroom and came to celebrate him, as well as those who played a role alongside his development. Included among the list were teams of court attorneys and secretaries, county workers and court system members past and present, justices, and his wife and two daughters.  

“I take a minute to say all of those things because every single one of those people have meant so much to me,” Murphy said, as 12 justices wearing black robes looked on from their seats in the jury box. Several dozen other people filled the public gallery of the Saratoga County Supreme Court Courthouse.     

During the ceremony, Murphy also singled out for gratitude Saratoga County Bar Association President and Saratoga Springs City Court Judge Francine Vero “for her leadership of the bar association and her generosity in commissioning this portrait and organizing such a meaningful unveiling ceremony,” as well as NYS Court of Claims Judge Kate Hogan “for her years of friendship and support throughout my career.” The Saratoga County Bar Association sponsored the ceremony. 

Prior to his election to the bench, Murphy served 25 years as a prosecutor – elected to the post of Saratoga County District Attorney in 1997 and re-elected to subsequent 4-year terms in 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013.

“The first minute I met Kate, I knew that I had found a friend. You know how some people you just click with? She was that person for me, and that was many, many years ago,” Murphy said of Hogan. ‘We shared lots of discussions about lots of cases – sticky situations, how do we do this? What are your suggestions? We lobbied the legislature for meaningful justice reform,” he added. “Judging can be an isolating event. You only really have your core attorney to discuss cases with – and it’s nice to have somebody else to bounce things off. When Kate joined the bench and became a member of the judiciary, it was wonderful for me. When asked who I wanted to unveil the portrait with me, Kate Hogan was the only answer. She’s like family.”  

Together, they lifted the blue draperies covering the free-standing frame and revealed the portrait of Murphy. 

“I Just want to say…I don’t think my head is actually that big!” he quipped, eyeballing the portrait, his commentary met with much laughter. The portrait will be displayed in the Saratoga County Courthouse, joining the esteemed ranks of past jurists who have shaped the Court’s history. 

“This portrait is not just a personal honor but a tribute to the institution we serve. Serving the people of the state of New York and Saratoga County has been the privilege of a lifetime. I have worked alongside some of the most dedicated and talented people – many of whom are here today and all committed to making our community better always remembering service above self,” said Murphy as he begins the next chapter of his life with Behan Communications, Inc., helping to oversee business development efforts and working directly with crisis communication and public affairs clients.

“I’m honored that my portrait will hang in the courtroom where I spent so many years as D.A. and as judge. And I hope, when you see this oversized head looking down at you – you’ll know I’m right there in the trenches with you, cheering you on as you continue to do the great work you do. “          

Saratoga Chowderfest Set for Saturday Feb. 8; New This Year: Broadway Closed to Vehicle Traffic

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

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 26th Annual Chowderfest will take place 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8.  

The family-friendly event invites attendees to sample 4 oz. servings of chowder for $2 each from more than 70 local establishments across Saratoga County.

In addition to savoring chowder, attendees in downtown Saratoga Springs will be treated to live musical entertainment and family-friendly activities for all ages.

Broadway in downtown Saratoga Springs will be closed to vehicular traffic 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. from Lake Avenue to Washington Avenue to prioritize safety and enhance the event experience.

Last year’s eventfeatured 85 vendors, with 116,383 bowls of chowder served, and more than 40,000 people in attendance, according to Discover Saratoga.

Four free shuttles will run between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Saratoga Casino Hotel. Exclusive 26th-anniversary merchandise – including long-sleeve shirts ($15 or $17 for XXL), beanies ($10), and reusable spoons ($5) – will be available for purchase at the Saratoga Springs City Center and the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center while supplies last.

Vote for your favorite charter online at:  www.discoversaratoga.org/chowderfest/vote, with one vote per device accepted. Voting will close at 4:30 p.m., and winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center. 

For more information about Chowderfest, including a list of participating locations, visit www.discoversaratoga.org/chowderfest or call 518-584-1531.

B-Spa Chocolate Fest: Friday, Feb. 7

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


Chocolate Fest on Friday in Ballston Spa.

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa will hist the annual Chocolate Fest 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7.

Stroll the Village of Ballston Spa for $2 chocolate tastings from over 20 Chocolate Chefs/Venues, and vote for your favorites in three categories: Dessert – Savory – Beverage. 

The event includes chocolate-themed activities, artist demos, special promotions and sales. For more information, go to: ballston.org.