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Success on the Field and in the Classroom: NYSPHSAA Announces Awards for Academic Achievement 

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


The Saratoga Central Catholic Baseball Team were one 15 teams that helped the school earn “School of Distinction” status (SCC Saints Athletic)

Saratoga County schools are well known for their achievements on the field. 

Spa Catholic went back-to-back as champions in Baseball, Burnt-Hills produced an All-American wrestler (see page 30) and Saratoga Springs was one game away from winning a state championship in Football. 

But that success doesn’t end when the students leave the field. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) has announced which schools received School of Distinction and School of Excellence status for the 2025-26 academic year, including several Saratoga County Schools. 

These achievements recognize schools with high levels of scholar athletes. To be recognized as a scholar athlete, a student must maintain a grade point average of 90 or above. For team status, the top 75% of a team must be considered scholar athletes. 

At the end of the year, the total number of teams reaching Scholar-Athlete status and awards are given for schools with a high percentage of teams reaching that status. Schools with 75% of their varsity teams reaching the status are considered a “School of Excellence” while schools with 100% of their varsity teams reaching the status are considered “School of Distinction.” 

With all sports seasons over and GPAs finalized, here is a rundown of the Saratoga County Schools that achieved a high in and out of the classroom. 

School of Distinction 

Only one school in Saratoga County achieved school of Distinction status for the 2025-26 school year: Saratoga Central Catholic High School. All 15 of the Saints’ varsity teams achieved Scholar Athlete status with a total of 124 student athletes reaching Scholar-Athlete status across the three seasons. 

Schools of Excellence 

Six schools in Saratoga County achieved School of Excellence status. Here is a rundown of those schools. 

• Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Senior High School. 28 teams achieved Scholar Athlete team status with 497 athletes achieving status across the three seasons. 

• Mechanicville Junior/Senior High School. 18 teams achieved Scholar Athlete status with 257 athletes achieving status across the three seasons. 

• Saratoga Springs High School. 35 teams achieved Scholar Athlete status with 715 athletes achieving status across the three seasons.

• Schuylerville High School. 23 teams achieved Scholar Athlete status with 213 athletes achieving status across the three seasons.

• Shenendehowa High School. 34 teams achieved Scholar Athlete status with 520 athletes achieving status across the three seasons.

• Waterford-Halfmoon Junior Senior High School. 14 teams achieved Scholar Athlete status with 115 athletes achieving status across the three seasons.

Full totals for all school districts statewide can be found on NYSPHSAA.org

Brookside Nursery: 50 Years of Growing with the Community

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


Ian and Margaret Murray in the Original Greenhouse (Aissa Murray)

Brookside Nursery is celebrating 50 years of their family-owned business by opening a brand-new retail space and greenhouse. A ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on August 15th will mark the next chapter in the storied history of Brookside Nursery. 

To accompany the ribbon cutting, Bars without Boundaries will provide seasonal drinks. Then at 10:30 a.m. Little Wild Poppy will provide a bloom bar, and Happy Little Faces will be painting faces. At 11:00 a.m. Adirondack BBQ Smokehouse and JJ’s Snack Bar’s ice cream will be available. Finally, at 2 p.m. patrons can participate in a fall planter make and take.  

Five decades ago, Brookside Nursery started as a one-room store centered around a wood fire stove. Ed Murray steadily expanded the blueprint of the nursery, building offices, and the original greenhouse in 1993, which is being replaced this year. 

Margaret Murray supplied memories from her home country, selling Scottish kilts, treats, and even dog houses. 


The Original Brookside Nursery (Aissa Murray)

Ian Murray, the son of Ed and Margaret, took over the business from his parents and continued their legacy. 

Aissa Murray is the third generation of her family to continue the business and currently is raising the fourth generation, Henry and Harper.

“I went away for a while and came back here when my daughter was young. I remembered why I loved it so much,” Aissa told Saratoga TODAY. “I grew up here and loved it. I remember fondly many, many times just planting in the greenhouse and watering and all the time spent here.”

Murray says she now sees herself in her children. 

“My daughter is dying to get on the register and help customers. My son loves the equipment. He wants to drive all of it.”

And the parallels continue further:

“My son was here a couple days ago out watering the trees. My dad drove by and he called to him as he pulled in: “Hey, are you going to own this someday?” Henry hollered back, “Well, yea.”


The New Addition to Brookside Nursery (Aissa Murray)

“It has been the joy of my life to see my kids grow up in the business I grew up in,” Aissa said. “It would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of my father and my grandparents before him as well as the team of people we work with each day. We wouldn’t be successful if not for the amazing team that works with us each day and the amazing community who chooses to support small businesses.”

Brookside Nursery provides residential and commercial landscaping, and has even done work at the Saratoga Race Course. They also offer their expertise to home gardeners on what will grow in the inclement northeast climate and how to care for the plants.

Brookside Nursery will continue to host community events in their newly renovated greenhouse. Looking ahead, Wild for Life is bringing in a beaver on October 3rd and will do a presentation on how to rehabilitate animal habitats in the area. Also coming is monthly plant bingo, a goat milk soap workshop, and a bonsai workshop. 

To learn more about these events and to register, follow Brookside Nursery on Facebook. 

Two Troopers Injured and 500 pounds of Weed Seized in Multicounty Chase 

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


500 pounds of cannabis was recovered after a car chase which started in Queensbury and ended in Saratoga County ( Courtesy of NYSP)

A State Police Charger and Tahoe were damaged during a car chase (Courtesy of NYSP)

Two Massena residents have been arrested and charged with multiple felonies after leading New York State Police on a two-county car chase that ended in Saratoga County. 

The driver, identified as Torrey Jackson, 39, of Massena was arrested and charged with felony attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer, felony 1st degree criminal possession of cannabis, two counts of felony 2nd degree assault, 2nd degree felony criminal mischief, felony tampering with physical evidence, and several misdemeanors. 

The passenger, identified as Tori Rushlow, 29, of Massena, was arrested on charges of felony attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer, felony 1st degree criminal possession of cannabis, felony 2nd degree assault, 2nd degree felony criminal mischief, felony tampering with physical evidence, and several misdemeanors. 

According to State Police, the chase began on Interstate 87 south in Queensbury at 3:24 p.m. on July 16 when Jackson allegedly failed to stop when Troopers attempted to pull the vehicle over. The chase entered Saratoga County and left the interstate at exit 17 — continuing through rural and residential roads, fields and people’s yards. 

The chase reentered I-87 at the exit 16 off ramp with Jackson allegedly traveling south in the northbound lanes of traffic. While entering the interstate, Jackson is alleged to have struck a State Police vehicle traveling north. Upon reaching a roadblock set up at exit 15, the vehicle turned around and proceeded north utilizing both the northbound and southbound lanes of traffic.

During this part of the chase, Jackson is alleged to have attempted to ram multiple State Police cars while Rushlow allegedly threw several garbage bags containing vacuum sealed bags of cannabis out the window of the vehicle, according to New York State Police.

Eventually the vehicle came to a stop in the median, with both Rushlow and Jackson allegedly attempting to flee on foot. Despite their attempts to flee and active resistance, Jackson and Rushlow were taken into custody, arraigned in Wilton Town Court and remanded into the Saratoga County Correctional facility. 

Two State Troopers sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and two vehicles were damaged. All told, over 500 pounds of cannabis was recovered from the scene.

Saratoga County Fair Returns: Announces Lineup in Celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured.

The Saratoga County Agricultural Society has released the complete daily schedule for the Saratoga County Fair, running Tuesday, July 21 through Sunday, July 26, at the fairgrounds in Ballston Spa.

This year’s theme, “Liberty, Land, and Legacy,” aligns with the 250th anniversary of the United States, blending multi-generational agricultural traditions with modern entertainment.

Admission is $15 at the gate or online and includes all daily entertainment, grandstand events, family activities, and musical performances. Children 12 and under are admitted free every day. Senior discounts will be offered on Wednesday, veteran discounts will run throughout the week, and parking is free.

Day-by- day highlights include:

Tuesday, July 21 

• Opening Ceremony welcoming regional mayors, state and local representatives, supervisors, entertainers, and special guests, a militia color guard with musket salute.

• “The Printed Word,” Meet a historic bookbinder and explore the role of literature and the press in the 18th century. 

• Grandstand Event: Opening Night Demolition Derby.

• Evening Entertainment: The Flying Wallendas, the Saratoga County Fair Pageant, and live music by John Kribs and Friends followed by Beatin’ the Odds.

Wednesday, July 22 

• “The Sound of Liberty,” Learn how to load and fire a Revolutionary War cannon with the recreated 2nd Continental Artillery. 

• Grandstand & Nightlife: Wild West Wednesday featuring the Painted Pony Rodeo, line dancing with the County Liners, and country-rock music by Electric Rodeo.

Thursday, July 23

• “A Declaration of Freedom,” A public reading of the Declaration of Independence as colonists would have experienced it 250 years ago.

• Evening Entertainment: Annual 4-H Chicken BBQ, Saratoga’s Got Talent, and live rock by Tame the Rooster. 

Friday, July 24 

• “Revolutionary Rhythms,” Explore the instruments, songs, and cultural impact of 18th-century music. Free kids Heritage Trail and Horseshoe Challenge.

• Grandstand Event: NYTPA Championship Tractor Pulls.

• Evening Entertainment: Bands, The Dambreakers and 2096, alongside Saratoga’s Got Talent. 

Saturday, July 25 

• “Clothing the Army,” Discover the clothing styles and logistical challenges of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. 

• Agricultural Spotlight: 4-H Rabbit, Poultry, and Sheep/Goat Obstacle Courses. Educational exhibits and demos in the Agricultural and Culinary Building.

• Special Highlights: The high-energy 4-H Young Farmers Olympics and the live Chainsaw Carving Auction.

• Grandstand Event: 4-Wheel Drive Truck Pulls.

• Evening Entertainment: Hill Country Cloggers and headline rock band MaddHaus. Archery and Shooting Sports open to.

Sunday, July 26 

• “The 18th-Century Milliner,” Meet a historic seamstress and explore women’s fashion, textiles, and trades during the American Revolution. 

• Agricultural Spotlight: 4-H Master Showman Finals, ADGA Open Goat Show, Open English Horse Show, and Open Western Horse Show.

• Grandstand Event: Championship Demolition Derby finale 

• Evening Entertainment: “Best of Fair” Saratoga’s Got Talent Finals and closing concert by The Refrigerators

More Than a Workout: Winner’s Circle 518 Builds Community Through Fitness

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

Winner’s Circle 518 group at the Kiyak Shack
(Aidan Clark)

A new fitness club has taken hold in Saratoga Springs, Winners Circle 518, an Instagram page that looks to get people together for a run, workouts, and social events. Behind the page are three high school friends, Alec Lind, Chris Serafini, and Gordy Adams who rekindled their friendship after college with an aspiration to build a community of likeminded people. 

Their first post dates back to March 9th, 2026 which was a short form video featuring the trio going for an early morning run with a caption reading “POV: you woke up for morning miles.” Their enthusiasm is palpable through the phone and proved to be contagious.

The group had their first run on March 30th in which four people showed up. Never discouraged, Serafini said, “One day, or day one,” in the Instagram video. 

“It’s always been a running idea, kind of talking about it, talking about it,” Lind said. “Finally, we’re like, all right let’s make this happen. So, one weekend, we’re like: all right we’ll start with a run, and it’s gone from there.”

On April 12, the group organized a run through downtown Saratoga where dozens of runners showed up. The video, subsequentially uploaded to Instagram, reached over 90,000 views, proving to the group that there is a desire in the Saratoga community for a fitness group. 

This past weekend on July 11, Winner’s Circle 518 held a paddleboard swim meet on Saratoga Lake at the Kayak Shack where over 70 people showed up at 9 a.m. 

Haley Richter and Sarah Devincezo attended the paddleboarding event after seeing the Winner’s Circle 518 post on Instagram.

“I wanted to go paddleboarding, and then I was scrolling on Instagram, and I came across the 518 Winner’s Circle,” Richter told Saratoga TODAY. “I was like oh, you can go paddleboarding, we’ll do it.”

“I feel like it’s all the rage to do groups like this. This area doesn’t really have one, and now it does, so that’s cool,” DiVincenzo said.

The group is looking to continue to grow a fitness community centered around Saratoga Springs. New members are always welcome; to keep up to date with the latest Winner’s Circle 518 events, follow them on Instagram at winnerscircle518. 

Saratoga Hidden Horseshoe 

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


(Courtesy of Saratoga Hidden Horseshoe Facebook)

Jennifer Claeson has spent the last four summers hiding 300 used horseshoes around Saratoga Springs as a scavenger hunt. Claeson is an outdoor enthusiast; she founded Saratoga Hidden Horseshoe in 2023 to give people an excuse to get off their phones and around different areas of the town.

Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes is modeled after the Glass Float Project in Block Island, Rhode Island. Eben Horton is a local glass blower in Block Island, since 2011 he has been hiding glass bulbs resembling Japanese fish net floats around Block Island.  

Claeson was visiting a friend on Block Island in 2021 where she discovered the project and was inspired to start a similar project in Saratoga Springs.

Claeson’s husband, Andy Claeson, is a racing syndicate which gives Claeson access to the back stretch to acquire the horseshoes. 

Claeson hides the horseshoes around Congress Park, Waterfront Park, Beekman Avenue, Spring Run Trail, and Railroad Run. She hides the horseshoes from May through September, but not all the horseshoes are found every summer. There are still horseshoes scattered across the spa city from their first year in 2023. 

“What I love about the project is it’s getting people out in nature. It’s getting people off their phones; walking, exploring parts of the city that they have never seen,’ said Claeson. 

The scavenger hunt has an air of competitiveness within the community.

“It’s the thrill of the hunt, and you may never find one, and you may just go for your first hunt and find one,” Claeson said. 

One local wrote on Facebook, “I was so excited to find one tonight! Since moving to Saratoga finding a hidden horseshoe has been a dream of mine. I have been searching a lot lately as I’m moving away in just a few days and thought I’d never get a chance again! – Olivia”

Each horseshoe has a QR code that allows the person who found it to send in a picture and a comment about their adventure. Follow Saratoga Hidden Horseshoes on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest finds. 

Each year, 30 of the 300 horseshoes are decorated by local artists. For two out of the four years so far, the artists have been paid through a grant provided by Saratoga Arts. Claeson hopes that the grant will continue to support local artists. 

Claeson is looking for help from the community to aid in cleaning the horseshoes, the most time-consuming part about the project. The National Honor’s Society of Saratoga Springs High School previously helped her with cleaning the horseshoes, but since that partnership fell through last year, Claeson has been cleaning all 300 horseshoes by herself.

Claeson is also perpetually looking for sponsorship opportunities with local Saratoga Brands. Previously Roohan Realty, Crossford Chase, and Pannell’s Resturant have previously sponsored the project, which helps Claeson pay for expensed required to keep the project going.

Anyone interested helping Claeson clean the horseshoes or for sponsorship opportunities, email saratogahiddenhorseshoes@gmail.com. 

Sheriff’s Office Announces Multiple Incidents Involving Youth Offenders

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

Three juveniles have been arrested in two separate and unrelated stabbing incidents in Saratoga County. 

The first incident occurred on June 12, 2026, in the Town of Greenfield. 

According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the offender whose name and age were not released is alleged to have stabbed someone in the leg resulting in a laceration. The victim was treated for the wound at the Urgent Care at Wilton Medical Arts.

The offender was arrested on July 8, 2026, arraigned in the Youth Part of the Saratoga County Family Court and released to pretrial services.

The second incident occurred on July 6, 2026, at 9:03 p.m. in the Town of Milton.

 According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to the scene and found one juvenile stabbed with a knife and the other struck in the head by a wooden chair. 

The alleged stabbing victim had been stabbed in the shoulder resulting in a laceration. They were transported by EMS to Albany Medical Center. 

Said victim was alleged to have hit the other juvenile in the head with the leg of a wooden chair. The alleged chair victim was initially transported to Malta Med Urgent Care and was later transferred to Albany Medical Center for a head injury. 

Both juveniles were charged with felony 2nd degree assault and misdemeanor 4th degree criminal possession of a weapon. 

One of the juveniles was arraigned in Waterford Town Court and released on their own recognizance pending proceedings in the Youth Part of the Saratoga County Family Court. The other was released on appearance tickets.

Three Men Arrested After Violent Robbery

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

Three men have been arrested after they allegedly beat a Ballston Spa resident with a baseball bat during a robbery.

Braedon Loveday, 19, and Timothy Wilbur, 34 — both of Middle Grove — and an unnamed 18-year-old were all charged with felony 1st degree robbery, felony 2nd degree gang assault and felony 2nd degree assault. 

According to New York State Police, troopers were dispatched to a residence in Ballston Spa at around 10:50 p.m. on May 19. Loveday, Wilbur and the other individual are alleged to have beaten the victim with a baseball bat, knocking them unconscious. After knocking the victim unconscious, the three stole cash and the victim’s cellphone before fleeing prior to police arrival.

The three individuals were arrested over the course of the next three months. Loveday was arrested during a traffic stop on Interstate 87 on May 23 while the 18-year-old was arrested in their home on July 3. The final individual, Wilbur was arrested on July 8 with the assistance of the Saratoga County Probation Department. 

All three individuals were remanded into the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of bond pending further proceedings.