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State reports Increased Rates Increased Rates of Bullying in Schools.

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

A new report has been released by the State Comptroller’s Office showing increased rates of bullying in New York State Schools. 

The report, which includes data from 2017-18 school year through the 2023-24 school year, shows that while rates of violent incidents have declined since the pandemic, rates of bullying have trended upwards. 

Statewide, schools reported .9 incidents of assault per 1000 students, .5 weapons offenses per 1000 students and .1 sexual offenses reported per 1000 students. This is down from 1.2 assaults, .7 weapons offenses and .3 sexual offenses. 

Drug offenses, meanwhile, saw a spike post pandemic but showed year-to-year declines in the latest data. Statewide, the Comptroller’s Office reported 6.5 drug offenses per 1000 students in 2023-24, down from 7.2 in 2022-23. Alcohol offenses meanwhile went from .6 offenses per 1000 students in 22-23 to .5 per 1000 in 23-24. 

While rates of drugs, alcohol and violence declined in New York, bullying did not decline. Across the State, New York reported 18.2 incidents of bullying per 1000 students in 2023-24, compared to 9.4 incidents in 2018-2019 and 17.2 incidents per 1000 in 2022-23. The Comptrollers Office noted that bullying had the highest number of total reported incidents. 

In terms of how Saratoga Springs and surrounding area did, in 2023-24 Ballston Spa reported eight incidents of bullying, nine incidents of cyberbullying, two assaults, two weapons possession incidents, one bomb threat, 35 drug incidents, three alcohol incidents and one threat of violence. 

This equated to 2 incidents of bullying, 2.3 cyber bullying incidents, nine drug possession incidents, .5 assaults, .5 weapons possession incidents and .7 alcohol incidents per 1000 students. 

As for Saratoga Springs, the school district reported 3 bullying incidents, 0 cyberbullying incidents, 0 assault or weapons possession incidents, 50 drug possession incidents, four alcohol possession incidents and four threats of violence in 2023-24. 

Per thousand students, Saratoga Springs saw .5 incidents of bullying, 8.6 drug incidents and .7 alcohol incidents per 1000 students. 

While Schuylerville saw the highest bullying incidents, it had the lowest alcohol and drug abuse incidents of the three school districts. Across all levels, the district saw 16 bullying, seven incidents of cyberbullying, two drug possession incidents and 0 alcohol incident in 2023-24. It also saw 0 assaults or weapons possession incident. 

Per 1000 students, Schuylerville saw 11.9 incidents of bullying, five incidents of cyber bullying and 1.5 drug incidents. 

In their report, the Comptroller’s Office noted that data may be underreported and may not reflect current conditions at the school. 

“Stakeholders should keep in mind, however, that a school reporting zero incidents through the SSEC report may have records of individual disruptive and violent incidents that are stored locally,” The report stated. “For example, records of an individual incident involving fighting or bullying would be maintained by the district if it resulted in disciplinary action, even if school officials determined the incident did not meet the threshold for SSEC reporting.” 

Already the numbers have brought about calls to action from one local politician, State Senator Jim Tedisco (R-44), who called on the legislature to pass a law that would require school districts to districts to notify parents if their child is being bullied. The bill, named “Jacobe’s Law” is named for a 13-year-old boy who died by suicide in 2015 after severe bullying. 

“We ask a lot of parents right now as it relates to being involved in their children’s education,” Sen. Tedisco said.  “Shouldn’t parents be made aware of threats of violence to their children so they can take the action they deem appropriate and have input on decisions of how best to protect their children’s safety? Unfortunately, due to a loophole in state law, many parents are not being kept informed about incidents of bullying taking place in the institutions we trust to educate and look after the safety and well-being of our children each day,” 

The bill was first introduced in 2016 and has been reintroduced in every legislative session since 2019. To date, however, it has never made it out of committee.

Green Island Man Arrested for Assaulting Corrections Officers.

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

A Green Island man has is facing additional charges after he allegedly assaulted three corrections officers at the Saratoga County Jail. 

Jamier Walker was charged with three counts of 2nd degree assault. He allegedly attacked the officers while being transported from one cell to another after he allegedly assaulted another inmate. 

The three officers were struck in the face. One was treated by jailhouse medical staff, one sought treatment at the Malta Med Emergent Care and the third did not require treatment. 

Walker was arraigned in the Milton Town court and remanded back into custody. 

State Police arrest Ballston Spa man following suspicious person complaint.

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

On January 26, 2026, State Police of Saratoga with the assistance of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Andrew M. Provencher, 37, of Ballston Spa, NY, for:

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd, a class “D” Felony

• Assault 2nd, a class “D” felony

• Unlawful Wearing Body Vest, a class “E” felony

• Resisting Arrest, a class “A” misdemeanor

• Obstructing Governmental Administration, a class “A” misdemeanor

On January 26, 2026, at about 12:27 p.m., law enforcement responded to the report of a suspicious person outside of the Saratoga County Public Safety Building located on County Farm Road in Ballston Spa. The investigation determined that Provencher traveled to the location and reportedly was observed wearing a ballistic vest and in possession of what appeared to be a rifle. Provencher reportedly approached an individual unknown to him in the parking lot and became confrontational. The victim was able to get away from Provencher and notified a law enforcement official.

While notification was being made, Provencher got in his vehicle and fled the location. Troopers located and stopped him on Malta Avenue in Ballston Spa. Provencher exited the vehicle still wearing the ballistic vest. He was taken into custody after a short period of resistance during which time a trooper sustained minor injuries.

Further investigation located and seized two knives stored in Provencher’s ballistic vest and an imitation Tippman M4 Carbine assault rifle loaded and capable of discharging metal pellets within his vehicle.

Provencher was arrested and later processed on January 27, 2026, at SP Saratoga. He was then arraigned at the Ballston Spa Village Court, where he was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond, or a $250,000 partially secured bond.

Three Saratoga Brothers Playing Together on One College Volleyball Team

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

Photo of SUNY Potsdam volleyball player Matt Kilinski by Sophia Pleat/SUNY Potsdam Athletics.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — At SUNY Potsdam, one name dominates the men’s volleyball roster: Kilinski.

Brothers and Saratoga Springs High School grads Matt, Mike, and Brayden Kilinski all play for the Division 3 Potsdam Bears.

Matt is a middle hitter and graduate student competing with the Bears for his fourth season. Mike, a middle hitter senior, is in the midst of his second season at Potsdam after transferring from New Paltz. Brayden, a freshman right side/outside hitter, made his debut this year. Matt and Mike both tower above many competitors at 6’ 7”, and all three bros are poised to make significant contributions to their squad this year.

In a victorious 3-1 season opener against Regis College on Jan. 24, Matt recorded 24 kills, falling just short of his career high, and added 10 digs and 2 blocks while hitting .514. Brayden’s Bears debut included 9 kills and 2 aces. Mike recorded a match-best 5 blocks.

In a 3-1 loss to Buffalo State on the same day, Matt finished with a match-high 21 kills and 7 digs, while Mike contributed 9 kills and 1 block.

Although the season just began, Matt has already received the accolade of SUNY Potsdam’s Athlete of the Week for the week ending Jan. 24.

Potsdam’s men’s volleyball team launched their sixth season last weekend after concluding their best campaign in program history last year, when they finished with program records in overall and conference wins (18-8, 5-1), and wrapped up the regular season on a 12-match win streak to claim the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

Matt earned the 2025 New England Volleyball Conference (NEVC) Athlete of the Year Award, and he was also named first team All-NEVC. He led his team with 249 total kills. He also garnered 23 blocks, 20 service aces, and 126 digs. He is currently the school’s all-time record holder for career solo blocks, block assists, and total blocks.

Mike, in his first season with the Bears, led the conference and set the program’s single-season record with a .380 hitting percentage. He also ranked third on the team with 134 kills, and second with 48 blocks.

After graduating from Saratoga Springs High School last year, Brayden decided to join his brothers in Potsdam, adding a third member to the team’s sibling faction.

Next up for the trio: three games at home on Feb. 7 against Bard, Houghton, and Elmira.

SPAC Lineup Adds Dave Matthews, Blues Traveler, Luke Bryan, Primus, Free Culinary Arts Event, and More

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


Dave Matthews Band and Blues Traveler images provided by Live Nation.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — A heap of additions were made to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s (SPAC) calendar recently, including returning favorites the Dave Matthews Band and Blues Traveler, plus a free culinary arts program on March 7.

The Dave Matthews Band will play at SPAC on July 17 and 18, marking the group’s 50th headlining performance at the venue. According to Setlist.fm, DMB has held more concerts at SPAC than any other musical act, with Phish, Chicago, and the Allman Brothers Band each compiling more than 20 shows apiece.

Blues Traveler, headliners of the 2024 Belmont on Broadway event in downtown Saratoga Springs, will return to the Spa City on July 30 with two more familiar faces in tow: Gin Blossoms (Belmont on Broadway 2025 headliners) and Spin Doctors (headliners of Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga’s 2025 Charity Benefit).

Country artist Luke Bryan—with special guests Drew Baldridge, Lanie Gardner, Lauren Watkins, and DJ Rock—w-ill hit the SPAC stage on Aug. 29. Bryan is considered one of the world’s top-selling artists, dishing out more than 75 million records. He’s also a judge on the hit TV show “American Idol.”

On June 12, Les Claypool will present “Claypool Gold” at SPAC. The performance will bring together three of his bands: Primus, The Claypool Lennon Delirium, and Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade. Each night, all three bands will share the stage at once for a show featuring “wildly different setlists and surprises,” Live Nation said in a press release.

Violinist Lindsey Stirling will bring her “Duality Untamed” tour to Saratoga on July 13. Stirling entered the national consciousness in 2010, when she was featured on season five of “America’s Got Talent.” Since then, she’s released a handful of albums and accumulated more than 14 million subscribers and billions of views on her YouTube channel. Stirling is known for her unique blend of classical, pop, and dance music.

SPAC also announced this week that it will host a special, free community program featuring culinary historian Dr. Jessica B. Harris, who is a James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame winner and the star of the Netflix docuseries “High on the Hog.” Presented as part of the CulinaryArts@SPAC initiative, “Braided Heritage: Tracing the Roots of American Cuisine” will take place on Saturday, March 7 from 3 to 5 p.m. at The Pines at SPAC. The event is free to attend; however, space is limited. Visit spac.org for details or to register.

Neighbors helping Neighbors: The Regional Food Bank Delivers 12 Pallets to Saratoga County

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

A truck from The Regional Food Bank delivered 12 pallets of food to Saratoga County (Aidan Cahill)

On Thursday, Jan. 22 a truck delivered 12 pallets of food — about 18,000 pounds — to Saratoga County food banks. 

The food was distributed as part of the Regional Food Bank’s “Restock Our Pantries” program to help local food pantries restock after a busy holiday season. This is the first year The Regional Food Bank has implemented the program. 

The food was distributed to local food pantries operating in Saratoga County in an effort to help them restock after the holidays (Aidan Cahill)

“The Regional Food Bank facilitated New York State’s largest Thanksgiving meal distribution and had a hugely successful Holiday Hunger Appeal thanks to generous community support,” Tom Nardacci, CEO of the Regional Food Bank said. “The holidays have notoriously left our shelves and partner’s shelves bare during January and February, this much-needed distribution program will directly support agencies by delivering food to where it is needed and in turn benefit communities.”  

Ryan Hughes from Life Works Community Action in Ballston Spa said that more people than normal are relying on food pantries due to the recent government shut down which temporarily left people without SNAP benefits as well as greater food insecurity. 

“Our local community members rely on us to provide food for their families and during this time when shelves are emptier than usual, we are so thankful for this Restock Our Pantries Program,” Hughes said. “We are grateful for the support of the Regional Food Bank and to state leaders for funding this gap and providing assistance to feed our communities.”   

Upstate Status Secure: MTA not coming to Capital Region

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

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that the planned Metro North train between Albany and New York City has been shelved.

An announced MTA train running from Albany to New York has been canceled as Amtrak resumes full service between the Empire State Capital and its largest city. 

The announcement was made in a statement released by New York Governor Kathy Hochul on January 27. In it, she said that because of the full restoration, Amtrak would no longer sanction the MTA trains to run between Poughkeepsie and Albany. 

Hochul didn’t close the door to an MTA line to Albany, however, especially given the excitement surrounding the initial announcement. 

“I remain fully committed to short and long-term proposals to bring better transit – including expanded Metro-North service if the demand exists – beyond Poughkeepsie and into the rest of the Hudson Valley and Capital Region,” Governor Hochul said. “New Yorkers rely on high quality rail transit like no other state, and I will always fight to save commuters time and to make service better.” 

The limited service didn’t stop ridership on Amtrak in 2025. While New York City makes up 84% of all Amtrak travel in the state with 13,037,414 people getting on and off at Penn Station in 2025, the Capital region dominates the rest of the state. 

The five stations in the Capital Region  — Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, Amsterdam and Glenns Falls — account for a combined 1,142,152 people transiting through on Amtrak. Albany makes up the majority of this total with 920,779 people transiting through. 

In addition to ridership, Amtrak spent $16,074,743 on station improvements in the Capital Region in 2025 with $9,131,070 being spent on Saratoga Springs alone — the most of any station in the state. 

District Attorney Brett Eby Announces Creation of Narcotics and Special Investigations Bureau

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

Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby today announced the creation of a new Narcotics and Special Investigations Bureau, a specialized unit dedicated to aggressively combating narcotics trafficking, illegal firearms, sex trafficking, and human trafficking throughout Saratoga County. 

The Bureau will be led by Chief Meghan A. Horton, an experienced prosecutor with a proven record of success in complex investigations and high-stakes felony trials. 

The Narcotics and Special Investigations Bureau will focus on dismantling criminal enterprises that profit from the sale of controlled substances, the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms, and the exploitation of victims through sex and human trafficking. The Bureau will work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to conduct long-term investigations, utilize advanced investigative techniques, and ensure the most dangerous offenders are held fully accountable. 

“This Bureau reflects our commitment to taking an aggressive, intelligence-driven approach to some of the most serious crimes facing our communities,” said District Attorney Eby. “Drug trafficking, illegal guns, and human trafficking threaten public safety and devastate families. This Bureau is designed to confront those threats head-on.”

Chief Horton brings extensive experience in narcotics, firearms, violent felony, and sexually motivated offense prosecutions. She serves on the Tri-County Narcotics Task Force. Chief Horton has successfully tried numerous cases to verdict. Horton also has extensive experience drafting search warrants, devising operation strategy, obtaining trace orders and leading investigations. She is also cross designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney. “Chief Horton’s exceptional courtroom abilities, sharp investigative skills, relentless work ethic, and aggressive prosecutorial style will lead this Bureau to success,” said District Attorney Eby. “She is one of the most talented prosecutors in Upstate New York, and I have complete confidence in her leadership.” Chief Horton’s courtroom successes include:

• People v. Shahid Smith — Secured guilty verdicts on multiple counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, resulting in a 31½-year state prison sentence.

• People v. Ryan Jewett — Obtained a conviction for Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child and a 29-year sentence of incarceration.

• People v. Michael Zakrzewski — Achieved guilty verdicts for Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Strangulation in the Second Degree, and Criminal Contempt, resulting in a 34-year state prison sentence.

• People v. Sean Cherven — Won a jury trial resulting in a conviction for Rape in the First Degree and a sentence of 18 years in state prison.

“I am honored to be chosen to lead the Narcotics and Special Investigations Bureau,” said Chief Horton. “I am ready to take on this responsibility and to work aggressively with our law enforcement partners to protect the public, pursue justice for victims, and hold dangerous offenders accountable.”