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We Remember 

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

In memory of those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks, whom we will never forget, Saratoga TODAY is honoring the first responders killed in the attacks. According to the 9/11 memorial, 441 first responders were killed on 9/11, making it the deadliest day in history for first responders. Below are those 441 names. A full list of all who died can be found at 911memorial.org.

The names on this list represent just a sample of those who gave their lives in service of their county and others on 9/11. Such individuals include the thousands who have died due to 9/11 related illnesses, military personnel killed at the Pentagon, the passengers of United 93 who’s actions prevented one of the four hijacked planes from reaching its target, and the scores of civilians who died helping others escape the towers.

Fire and EMS

FDNY

Lieutenant Joseph Agnello

Lieutenant Brian Ahearn

Firefighter Eric Allen

Firefighter Richard Allen

Battalion Chief James Amato

Firefighter Calixto Anaya Jr

Firefighter Joseph Angelini

Firefighter Joseph Angelini Jr

Firefighter Faustino Apostol Jr

Firefighter David Arce

Firefighter Louis Arena

Firefighter Carl Asaro

Lieutenant Gregg Atlas

Firefighter Gerald Atwood

Firefighter Gerard Baptiste

Assistant Chief Gerard Barbara

Firefighter Matthew Barnes

Firefighter Arthur Barry

Lieutenant Steven Bates

Lieutenant Carl Bedigian

Firefighter Stephen Belson

Firefighter John Bergin

Firefighter Paul Beyer

Firefighter Peter Bielfeld

Firefighter Brian Bilcher

Firefighter Carl Bini

Firefighter Christopher Blackwell

Firefighter Michael Bocchino

Firefighter Frank Bonomo

Firefighter Gary Box

Firefighter Michael Boyle

Firefighter Kevin Bracken

Firefighter Michael Brennan

Firefighter Peter Brennan

Captain Daniel Brethel

Captain Patrick Brown

Firefighter Andrew Brunn

Captain Vincent Brunton

Fire Marshal Ronald Bucca

Firefighter Greg Buck

Captain William Burke Jr

Assistant Chief Donald Burns

Firefighter John Burnside

Firefighter Thomas Butler

Firefighter Patrick Byrne

Firefighter George Cain

Firefighter Salvatore Calabro

Captain Frank Callahan

Firefighter Michael Cammarata

Firefighter Brian Cannizzaro

Firefighter Dennis Carey

Firefighter Michael Carlo

Firefighter Michael Carroll

Firefighter Peter Carroll

Firefighter Thomas Casoria

Firefighter Michael Cawley

Firefighter Vernon Cherry

Firefighter Nicholas Chiofalo

Firefighter John Chipura

Firefighter Michael Clarke

Firefighter Steven Coakley

Firefighter Tarel Coleman

Firefighter John Collins

Firefighter Robert Cordice

Firefighter Ruben Correa

Firefighter James Coyle

Firefighter Robert Crawford

Lieutenant John Crisci

Deputy Chief Dennis Cross

Firefighter Thomas Cullen III

Firefighter Robert Curatolo

Lieutenant Edward D’ Atri

Firefighter Michael D’ Auria

Firefighter Scott Davidson

Firefighter Edward Day

Battalion Chief Thomas DeAngelis

Lieutenant Manuel Del Valle

Firefighter Martin DeMeo

Firefighter David DeRubbio

Lieutenant Andrew Desperito

Battalion Chief Dennis Devlin

Firefighter Gerard Dewan

Firefighter George DiPasquale

Lieutenant Kevin Donnelly

Lieutenant Kevin Dowdell

Deputy Chief Raymond Downey

Firefighter Gerard Duffy

Captain Martin Egan Jr

Firefighter Michael Elferis

Firefighter Francis Esposito

Captain Michael Esposito

Firefighter Robert Evans

Battalion Chief John Fanning

Battalion Chief Thomas Farino

Firefighter Terrence Farrell

Battalion Chief Joseph Farrelly

First Deputy Commissioner   William Feehan

Firefighter Lee Fehling

Firefighter Alan Feinberg

Firefighter Michael Fiore

Captain John Fischer

Fire Marshal Andre Fletcher

Firefighter John Florio

Lieutenant Michael Fodor

Firefighter Thomas Foley

Lieutenant David Fontana

Firefighter Robert Foti

Lieutenant Andrew Fredericks

Lieutenant Peter Freund

Firefighter Thomas Gambino Jr

Chief Of Department Peter Ganci Jr

Lieutenant Charles Garbarini

Firefighter Thomas Gardner

Firefighter Matthew Garvey

Firefighter Bruce Gary

Firefighter Gary Geidel

Deputy Chief Edward Geraghty

Firefighter Denis Germain

Captain Vincent Giammona

Firefighter James Giberson

Lieutenant Ronnie Gies

Firefighter Paul Gill

Lieutenant John Ginley

Firefighter Jeffrey Giordano

Firefighter John Giordano

Firefighter Keith Glascoe

Firefighter James Gray

Battalion Chief Joseph Grzelak

Firefighter Jose Guadalupe

Lieutenant Geoffrey Guja

Lieutenant Joseph Gullickson

Lieutenant David Halderman

Lieutenant Vincent Halloran

Firefighter Robert Hamilton

Firefighter Sean Hanley

Firefighter Thomas Hannafin

Firefighter Dana Hannon

Firefighter Daniel Harlin

Lieutenant Harvey Harrell

Lieutenant Stephen Harrell

Firefighter Timothy Haskell

Battalion Chief Thomas Haskell Jr

Captain Terence Hatton

Firefighter Michael Haub

Lieutenant Michael Healey

Firefighter John Heffernan

Firefighter Ronnie Henderson

Firefighter Joseph Henry

Firefighter William Henry

Firefighter Thomas Hetzel

Battalion Chief Brian Hickey

Lieutenant Timothy Higgins

Firefighter Jonathan Hohmann

Firefighter Thomas Holohan

Firefighter Joseph Hunter

Captain Walter Hynes

Firefighter Jonathan Ielpi

Captain Frederick Ill , Jr

Firefighter William Johnston

Firefighter Andrew Jordan

Firefighter Karl Joseph

Lieutenant Anthony Jovic

Firefighter Angel Juarbe Jr

Father Mychal Judge

Fire Marshal Vincent Kane

Deputy Chief Charles Kasper

Firefighter Paul Keating

Lieutenant Thomas R. Kelly

Firefighter Thomas W. Kelly

Firefighter Richard Kelly Jr

Firefighter Thomas Kennedy

Lieutenant Ronald Kerwin

Firefighter Michael Kiefer

Firefighter Robert King Jr

Firefighter Scott Kopytko

Firefighter William Krukowski

Fire Marshal Kenneth Kumpel

Firefighter Thomas Kuveikis

Firefighter David LaForge

Firefighter William Lake

Firefighter Robert Lane

Firefighter Peter Langone

Firefighter Scott Larsen

Lieutenant Joseph Leavey

Firefighter Neil Leavy

Firefighter Daniel Libretti

Paramedic Carlos Lillo

Firefighter Robert Linnane

Firefighter Michael Lynch

Lieutenant Michael Lynch

Firefighter Michael Lyons

Lieutenant Patrick Lyons

Firefighter Joseph Maffeo

Firefighter William Mahoney

Firefighter Joseph Maloney

Deputy Chief Joseph Marchbanks Jr

Lieutenant Charles Margiotta

Firefighter Kenneth Marino

Firefighter John Marshall

Lieutenant Peter Martin

Lieutenant Paul Martini

Firefighter Joseph Mascali

Firefighter Keithroy Maynard

Firefighter Brian McAleese

Firefighter John McAvoy

Firefighter Thomas McCann

Captain William McGinn

Battalion Chief William McGovern

Firefighter Dennis McHugh

Firefighter Robert McMahon

Firefighter Robert McPadden

Firefighter Terence McShane

Firefighter Timothy McSweeney

Firefighter Martin McWilliams

Firefighter Raymond Meisenheimer

Firefighter Charles Mendez

Firefighter Steve Mercado

Firefighter Douglas Miller

Firefighter Henry Miller Jr

Firefighter Robert Minara

Firefighter Thomas Mingione

Lieutenant Paul Mitchell

Battalion Chief Louis Modafferi

Lieutenant Dennis Mojica

Firefighter Manuel Mojica

Firefighter Carl Molinaro

Firefighter Michael Montesi

Captain Thomas Moody

Battalion Chief John Moran

Firefighter Vincent Morello

Firefighter Christopher Mozzillo

Firefighter Richard Muldowney Jr

Firefighter Michael Mullan

Firefighter Dennis Mulligan

Lieutenant Raymond Murphy

Lieutenant Robert Nagel

Lieutenant John Napolitano

Firefighter Peter Nelson

Firefighter Gerard Nevins

Firefighter Dennis O’Berg

Captain Daniel O’Callaghan

Lieutenant Thomas O’Hagan

Firefighter Patrick O’Keefe

Captain William O’Keefe

Firefighter Kevin O’Rourke

Firefighter Douglas Oelschlager

Firefighter Joseph Ogren

Firefighter Samuel Oitice

Firefighter Eric Olsen

Firefighter Jeffrey Olsen

Firefighter Steven Olson

Firefighter Michael Otten

Firefighter Jeffrey Palazzo

Deputy Chief Orio Palmer

Firefighter Frank Palombo

Fire Marshal Paul Pansini

Deputy Chief John Paolillo

Firefighter James Pappageorge

Firefighter Robert Parro

Firefighter Durrell Pearsall

Lieutenant Glenn Perry

Lieutenant Philip Petti

Lieutenant Kevin Pfeifer

Firefighter Christopher Pickford

Firefighter Shawn Powell

Firefighter Vincent Princiotta

Firefighter Kevin Prior

Battalion Chief Richard Prunty

Firefighter Lincoln Quappe

Lieutenant Michael Quilty

Ems Lieutenant Ricardo Quinn

Firefighter Leonard Ragaglia

Firefighter Michael Ragusa

Firefighter Edward Rall

Firefighter Adam Rand

Firefighter Donald Regan

Lieutenant Robert Regan

Firefighter Christian Regenhard

Firefighter Kevin Reilly

Captain Vernon Richard

Firefighter James Riches

Firefighter Joseph Rivelli Jr

Firefighter Michael Roberts

Firefighter Michael Roberts

Firefighter Anthony Rodriguez

Firefighter Matthew Rogan

Firefighter Nicholas Rossomando

Firefighter Paul Ruback

Firefighter Stephen Russell

Lieutenant Michael Russo

Battalion Chief Matthew Ryan

Firefighter Thomas Sabella

Firefighter Christopher Santora

Firefighter John Santore

Firefighter Gregory Saucedo

Firefighter Dennis Scauso

Firefighter John Schardt

Battalion Chief Fred Scheffold

Firefighter Thomas Schoales

Firefighter Gerard Schrang

Firefighter Gregory Sikorsky

Firefighter Stephen Siller

Firefighter Stanley Smagala Jr

Firefighter Kevin Smith

Firefighter Leon Smith Jr

Firefighter Robert Spear Jr

Firefighter Joseph Spor

Battalion Chief Lawrence Stack

Captain Timothy Stackpole

Firefighter Gregory Stajk

Firefighter Jeffrey Stark

Firefighter Benjamin Suarez

Firefighter Daniel Suhr

Lieutenant Christopher Sullivan

Firefighter Brian Sweeney

Firefighter Sean Tallon

Firefighter Allan Tarasiewicz

Firefighter Paul Tegtmeier

Firefighter John Tierney

Firefighter John Tipping II

Firefighter Hector Tirado Jr

Firefighter Richard Van Hine

Firefighter Peter Vega

Firefighter Lawrence Veling

Firefighter John Vigiano II

Firefighter Sergio Villanueva

Firefighter Lawrence Virgilio

Lieutenant Robert Wallace

Lieutenant Jeffrey Walz

Lieutenant Michael Warchola

Captain Patrick Waters

Firefighter Kenneth Watson

Firefighter Michael Weinberg

Firefighter David Weiss

Firefighter Timothy Welty

Firefighter Eugene Whelan

Firefighter Edward White

Firefighter Mark Whitford

Lieutenant Glenn Wilkinson

Battalion Chief John Williamson

Captain David Wooley

Firefighter Raymond York

Lieutenant Kenneth Phelan

New York Fire Patrol 

Fire Patrol Officer Keith M. Roma

New York Presbyterian Hospital 

Paramedic Keith G. Fairben

EMT Mario L. Santoro

Cabrini Hospital

EMT David Marc Sullins

Dumfries-Triangle Rescue Squad

EMT Jeff Lyal Simpson

MetroCare Ambulance

EMT Yamel Josefina Merino

Hunter Ambulance Company

Vice President and EMT Mark Schwartz

Jersey City Fire Department

Dispatcher Richard Allen Pearlman

Law Enforcement NYPD

Sergeant John G. Coughlin

Sergeant Michael S. Curtin

Police Officer John D’Allara

Police Officer Vincent G. Danz

Police Officer Jerome M. Dominguez

Police Officer Stephen P. Driscoll

Police Officer Mark J. Ellis

Police Officer Robert Fazio

Sergeant Rodney C. Gillis

Police Officer Ronald P. Kloepfer

Police Officer Thomas M. Langone

Police Officer James P. Leahy

Police Officer Brian G. McDonnell

Police Officer John W. Perry

Police Officer Glen K. Pettit

Detective Claude D. Richards

Sergeant Timothy A. Roy

Police Officer Moira A. Smith

Police Officer Ramon Suarez

Police Officer Paul Talty

Police Officer Santos Valentin Jr.

Detective Joseph V. Vigiano

Police Officer Walter E. Weaver

Port Authority Police Department 

Police Officer Christopher C. Amoroso

Police Officer Maurice V. Barry

Police Officer Liam Callahan

Lieutenant Robert D. Cirri  

Police Officer Clinton Davis

Police Officer Donald A. Foreman

Police Officer Gregg J. Froehner

Police Officer Thomas E. Gorman 

Police Officer Uhuru G. Houston 

Police Officer George G. Howard 

Police Officer Stephen Huczko

Inspector Anthony P. Infante Jr. 

Police Officer Paul W. Jurgens 

Sergeant Robert M. Kaulfers

Police Officer Paul Laszczynski 

Police Officer David P. Lemagne

Police Officer John J. Lennon 

Police Officer J.D. Levi 

Police Officer James F. Lynch 

Superintendent of Police Fred V. Morrone

Captain Kathy Mazza

Police Officer Walter A. Mcneil 

Police Officer Donald J. Mcintyre 

Police Officer Joseph M. Navas 

Police Officer James Nelson

Police Officer Alfonse J. Niedermeyer 

Police Officer James W. Parham 

Police Officer Dominick A. Pezzulo 

Police Officer Bruce A. Reynolds

Police Officer Antonio J. Rodrigues 

Police Officer Richard Rodriguez  

Chief James A. Romito  

Police Officer John P. Skala

Police Officer Walwyn W. Stuart 

Police Officer Kenneth F. Tietjen

Police Officer Nathaniel Webb

Police Officer Michael T. Wholey

New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

Enforcement Director Charles M. Mills Jr.

Revenue Crimes Specialist Clyde Frazier Jr.

Investigator Salvatore T. Papasso

New York State Unified Court System

Sergeant Mitchel Scott Wallace

Senior Court Officer Thomas Edward Jurgens

Captain William H. Thompson

FBI

Special Agent Leonard W. Hatton Jr.

U.S. Secret Service

Master Special Agent Craig J. Miller

Building and Utilities

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey First Responders

Manager of Operations and Maintenance Joseph Amatuccio

Property Manager James William Barbella

Operations Control Center Supervisor Edward Calderon

Assistant General Manager Carlos S. da Costa

Manager of Construction and Project Management Francis Albert De Martini

Property Manager Kenneth George Grouzalis

Security and Life Safety Director Douglas Gene Karpiloff

Property Manager Robert Henry Lynch Jr.

Environmental Coordinator Pete Negron

Locksmith David Ortiz

General Operations Supervisor Eugene J. Raggio

Manager of Vertical Transportation Francis Saverio Riccardelli

Superintendent of Operations Edward Thomas Strauss

World Trade Center Fire Safety

Fire Safety Director Lawrence Francis Boisseau

FDNY (Ret.), Director of Fire and Life Service James J. Corrigan

Fire Safety Director Richard P. Fitzsimons

FDNY (Ret.), Deputy Fire Safety Director Philip T. Hayes,

Deputy Fire Safety Director Robert J. Mayo

FDNY (Ret.), Fire Safety Director William Wren

Con Edison

Richard J. Morgan

Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works Releases Water Main Replacement Plan

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Department of Public Works Commissioner BK Keramati recently released a six-year water main replacement plan for the City of Saratoga Springs. The plan outlines the replacement of undersized four and six-inch water mains with New York State Department of Health recommended eight-inch mains. In the time period from 2026 to 2033, 14,781 linear feet (LF) of water main is scheduled for replacement.

“This plan represents a thoughtful effort to improve the City’s water distribution system and improve the quality of water delivered to homes,” said Keramati. “Four and six-inch water mains are subject to compound buildup within the pipes called tuberculation, when this happens it decreases the size of the diameter impairing water flow.”

Upsizing the water main on Clinton Street is underway with anticipated completion in the fall of 2026. The approved contract price for the replacement of 2,703 LF was $1,401,248 and is funded by the water capital budget through fees collected from water customers. Each year of the proposed plan represents an anticipated $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 investment into the distribution system. Although typically funded solely through capital funds, Keramati outlined a plan by the department to aggressively seek grant funding to reduce the expense for customers.

“Grants will offset costs and also allow the department to plan more work to be completed each year without substantial increases in capital fees to customers,” said Keramati. “With over 106,000 LF of four-inch water main in the City we have a lot of work to complete that will be expensive.”

The multi-year program was developed by the Assistant City Engineer Matt Zeno and City Engineer James Salaway, based primarily on a water study and knowledge of water mains throughout the City.

“I want to thank and recognize our engineering team for their efforts putting this together, now it’s our job to implement the plan on behalf of our water customers,” said Keramati.

Saratoga Spa State Park Announces  Deer Hunting Season    

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

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) will open an undeveloped section of Saratoga Spa State Park to white-tailed deer hunting for the 2026-27 season as part of a deer management program. The program allows permitted bow and crossbow white-tailed deer hunting within a roughly 600-acre section of the park south of East-West Road within the city of Saratoga Springs and the town of Malta. The park will issue 15 permits for the initial hunting season from October 13, 2026, through January 1, 2027. 

Hunters are required to receive a park-specific hunting permit, in addition to their New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)-issued hunting license, to hunt at the park. Applications for the park-specific hunting permit will be available at the park office, 19 Roosevelt Dr., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, from September 8 through September 22, 8:30am-4pm. Applications will be accepted until 4pm Tuesday, September 22. A randomized lottery system will be used to select which 15 applicants receive permits to ensure all applications have an equal chance of being selected.

The hunting area will be posted with signage, and hunting will not be permitted within 250 feet of any building, road, parking lot, or neighboring private property. Portable tree stands are permitted during the hunting season, provided hunters do not damage trees or other vegetation. Building or using permanent tree stands is prohibited. No overnight camping is permitted within the park. All other OPRHP rules and regulations apply.

The park’s deer management program will follow DEC’s Earn-a-2nd-Buck program – meaning that before harvesting an antlered deer (buck), participants must first take an antlerless deer. All other rules pertaining to hunting season dates and allowed take will follow DEC deer hunting regulations for this area of the state. The park is within DEC Wildlife Management Unit 5R, within DEC’s Southern Zone. 

After taking into consideration feedback gathered at a public information meeting on May 14, 2026, and a two-week public comment period, OPRHP approved the hunting proposal to address the negative impacts of deer overabundance in Saratoga Spa State Park and to provide additional outdoor recreational opportunities. The goal is to manage white-tailed deer populations within the park at a level appropriate to support forest regeneration and resilient natural communities; enhance habitat for forest-dependent wildlife; and provide for safe and enjoyable recreational and educational opportunities. Over 80 New York State Parks and Historic Sites maintain hunting programs, of which 65 offer deer hunting, including several in OPRHP’s Saratoga-Capital District Region. 

Further information on the hunting program, including the hunting area map, is available on the Saratoga Spa State Park website: https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/saratoga-spa-state-park

ALTERNATING LANE CLOSURES ALONG STATE ROUTE 4 IN SCHUYLERVILLE

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that State Route 4 between State Route 32 and Spring Street in the Village of Schuylerville, Saratoga County, will be reduced to a single lane with alternating traffic flows weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., beginning Tuesday, September 8, through Friday, October 9, to facilitate pavement resurfacing. 

Flaggers will control alternating traffic flow through the open lane. 

Motorists should anticipate travel delays and build extra travel time into their schedules. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Two Tornados Rip Through Wilton

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

A crane removes branches the slammed through a home on Greylock Drive. Crews said they had been at the home just prior to the tornado doing other work. (Aidan Cahill)
A homeowner cleans up the damage of the Wilton Tornado on Greylock Drive. Residents said that right after the tornado, the neighborhood came together to clear debris from roads. (Aidan Cahill)

Wilton is still recovering after two tornados ripped through the town on August 27. 

The first, called the Wilton Tornado by the National Weather Service (NWS) was an EF-1 tornado that started near Greylock and Glenburnie drives before crossing Interstate 87. The second, dubbed the Ruggles Road Tornado, was an EF-0 that occurred in the vicinity of Ruggles Road and Preserve Way. 

The two tornadoes happened almost simultaneously with the Wilton Tornado starting at 6:05 p.m. and lasting until 6:10 and the Ruggles Road Tornado touching down at 6:10 and lasting until 6:11. 

The Wilton Tornado traveled for 1.75 miles and had a maximum width of 250 yards. It saw winds hit 110 miles per hour. The Ruggles Road Tornado, meanwhile, traveled .19 miles with peak wind speed of 85 miles per hour and a max width of 50 yards. 

No injuries or deaths were reported in either tornado. 

The next day, residents and local contractors came out to assess the damage and start repairs on homes and properties impacted by the Wilton Tornado. Residents described the tornado to Saratoga TODAY. They reported hearing debris hitting their homes, followed by everything going dark and a loud freight train like noise as the tornado rolled through.

Tornados are a rate sight in Saratoga County. Since 1950, there have only been 15 recorded tornadoes, the strongest of which was an EF-3 tornado which struck Mechanicville and cut all the way to Vermont, injuring 68 and causing $71 million in damage. The only other reported tornado that caused injuries was a 2020 EF-1 tornado in Stillwater which injured one person. 

The last time two tornadoes hit on the same day in Saratoga County was on July 5, 1992 when two EF-0 tornadoes hit opposite sides of the county within 30 minutes of each other — the first hit Charlton while the second hit Stillwater. 

Residents said they received ample warnings of the danger and were able to seek shelter well in advance of the tornado’s arrival. 

In response to the tornadoes, the Town of Wilton has declared a state of emergency until Sept. 5. Residents can leave leaves, branches and other natural debris on the side of the road for town crews to pick up with information on pick up of other debris to be determined by Sept. 4. In addition, the town is waiving permit fees to repair damage caused by the tornadoes. 

Legislative Rundown: County eyes Kratom ban, Last call Time Defeated in Committee, and  appointment of a new judge. 

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

While Travers may be over and the sports world shifts its eyes away from Saratoga Springs, the city itself doesn’t stop. 

This week’s City Council meeting saw discussion over two major updates from the county public safety committee involving kratom and last call times and the appointment of a new city judge to the bench. 

Here’s the bi-weekly run down of legislative happenings in Saratoga Springs and beyond.

Last Call time Change Shot Down in Committee. 

A proposal by Saratoga Springs Supervisor Sarah Burger to set a public hearing to change last call time county wide from 4:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. was defeated by the Saratoga County Coard Public Safety Committee with only Saratoga Springs Supervisors Burger and Minita Sanghvi voting in favor of it. 

This isn’t the first time this matter has gone before the Board of Supervisors. A bill in April 2025 would have seen last call moved to 2:00 a.m. in the winter and 3:00 a.m. in the summer. That bill, however, failed when it was brought before a full vote of the Board of Supervisors.

During the meeting, Burger along with Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll and Assistant Chief Frederick Warfield pushed for the change citing public safety concerns including staffing costs, injuries due to fights, inability to properly cover other areas of the city, and officer burnout.

Warfield said that even though last call may be at 4:00 a.m., crowd are still out and about for another hour requiring police to maintain concentration in those areas — notably on the bar heavy Caroline Street. Warfield said that moving the time up would allow officers to leave the area sooner and catch DWIs in other parts of the city. 

“If the crowd starts reducing in size, those officers can actually leave Caroline Street and start patrolling the surrounding areas and proactively looking for DWI enforcement,” Warfield said. “Unfortunately, sometimes we have DWI incidents where we’re not aware the person was driving drunk until they crash and hit something, and then our officers go and respond to it.” 

Corinth Supervisor Eric Butler argued that he had a hard time passing a county law for an issue primarily centered in Saratoga Springs. 

Burger, however, pointed out that while there was an effort for a state law to create a carveout for Saratoga Springs to change last call time separate of the county time, that measure didn’t go anywhere and current guidance from the state liquor authority didn’t allow for cities to supersede the county in last call time. 

County to Propose Banning of Kratom 

It wasn’t all bar talk at the Public Safety Committee meeting as the committee advanced a resolution banning the sale of kratom in Saratoga County. 

The bill would make selling substances containing natural kratom leaf, mitragynine, 7- hydroxymitragynine, or other naturally occurring kratom alkaloids an unclassified unclassified misdemeanor in Saratoga County. If convicted, offenders could be punished by a year in jail, a $1000 fine or both. 

The only exception to the bill are any substances that are FDA approval and subsequently adhere to federal and state regulations. 

Sometimes called “gas station heroin” both the DEA and FDA recommend against using kratom due to a lack of research on the substance. The DEA announced in July 2026 that they intend on temporarily reclassing kratom with a 7-hydroxymitragynine percentage above .050 as a schedule one drug — similar to drugs such as LSD and ecstasy. 

For Saratoga County, the issue of Kratom is personal. In 2024, County Sewer District worker Nickolas Scribner died due to asphyxiation while taking the substance to deal with insomnia. His mother, Cari, pushed for more regulations after his death and her efforts lead the state to pass regulations on the sale of kratom statewide in December 2025.

The bill banning kratom at the county level is set to be introduced at the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors meeting later this month with a public hearing to be set for sometime in October. 

 New Judge Set to Take the Bench 

Mayor John Safford has announced the appointment of Vincent DeLeonardis as the new Saratoga Springs City Judge, replacing Jeffrey Wait whose term ends at the end of this year. He will serve as full-time judge from January 1, 2027- December 31, 2036.

DeLeonardis is no stranger to the city. A longtime resident, he graduated from Albany Law School in 2001 and worked in both private and corporate practice as a litigator.  He served as city attorney from 2014-2021. He currently serves as the chair of the City’s Charter Review Commission.  

 The US Route 9 Corridor Enhancement Study Committee Invites the Public to the Second Public Open House

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The US Route 9 Corridor Enhancement Study Committee is pleased to announce Public Open House #2 for the Town of Moreau US Route 9 Corridor Enhancement Study. The open-house style workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Dango Fitzgerald’s Irish Restaurant & Sports Pub, 1393 US-9, Fort Edward, NY 12828. 

Please visit the project website for more information: https://www.moreauroute9corridorstudy.com/ 

The second Public Open house will include informational and interactive station boards for the community to learn about the project progress and to share feedback on the draft recommendations for the Route 9 Corridor in the Town. 

The Route 9 corridor serves as a gateway to the Town of Moreau and provides an important connection to other destinations in the Capital Region and beyond. While the corridor is home to several successful businesses, it has faced ongoing challenges such as vacancies, business turnover and a lack of consistent identity. 

This study will evaluate the land use challenges and barriers to investment in the corridor and identify future opportunities and tools to help revitalize and enhance Route 9 to be its own destination. The goal is to shape US Route 9 into a vibrant and welcoming gateway corridor that supports both the local community and existing and future businesses. The study area spans from I-87 Exit 17 to Butler Road within the Town of Moreau. 

The project is being led by a Town Committee and facilitated by MJ Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Land Surveying, P.C. 

Public engagement is a key component of the project and fundamental to the implementation and success. The objective of public engagement is to ensure that the community the opportunity to learn about the project; to share concerns and contribute ideas; and to participate in building a consensus about the vision for the corridor, culminating in locally supported recommendations. 

More information about the project can be found at https://www.townofmoreau.org/. Please visit the project website to say up to date on project happenings.

Saratoga Remembers:Upcoming Events Marking the 25th Anniversary of 9/11

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

While 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of one of America’s greatest triumph’s, the July 4,1776 Declaration of Independence, it also marks the 25th anniversary of one of its darkest days: the 9/11 attacks. 

On Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers from the terrorist organization Al-Queda took control over four commercial aircraft over the United States and crashed three into towers one and two of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. The fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after a passenger revolt.

The attacks killed 2,977 people, including two from Saratoga County — Don Jerome Kauth of Saratoga Springs and Diane Parsons of Malta. Thousands more would die from health impacts of working or living near the site of the attacks. 

Saratoga County will be holding several remembrances to mark this solemn day. Here is a list of where these will take place. 

Saratoga Springs 

Saratoga Springs will hold its annual remembrance at the 9/11 memorial in High Rock Park. The ceremony will start at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 11.

In addition to the city ceremony, the Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge 161 will hold a public ritual at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 11.

Ballston Spa

Ballston Spa will hold its annual remembrance outside the 9/11 memorial on Front Street at 7:00 p.m. on Sept. 11.

Halfmoon 

The Town of Halfmoon will hold its annual Patriot Day ceremony at 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 11 at Abele Park. 

Mechanicville 

The Mechanicville-Stillwater Elks and Mechanicville Fire Department will hold a ceremony and “Ringing of the Bell” Service at Central Station on Main Street at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 11.

Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery

The National Cemetery will toll the bell of the USS Saratoga at the time of the plane strikes on September 11 and hold two events on September 12. The first will be a cemetery clean up that will start at 10:00 a.m. with volunteers asked to meet at 9:30 a.m. Registration is required and can be done at http://carrytheload.org. 

The second event will be a memorial ceremony at 11:00 a.m. 

State Police Participate in National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and Labor Day Enforcement Campaign

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The New York State Police will increase patrols to combat drunk, impaired, and reckless driving throughout the Labor Day enforcement period and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” national campaign.

State Police and local law enforcement will be out in force through Labor Day weekend as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign to prevent drugged and drunk driving. The national enforcement period begins on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026.

Labor Day weekends traditionally result in heavy traffic throughout the state. This increased flow of traffic also brings with it an increase in accidents, serious injuries, and fatalities, and police will be out in force to remove impaired and reckless drivers from our highways.

Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints and increased patrols by State Police and local law enforcement agencies during this holiday weekend. Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of this crackdown to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations.  These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated. 

This initiative is partially funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC). The GTSC and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation remind motorists that their  “Have a Plan” mobile app is available for Apple, Droid and Windows smartphones. 

The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties, and even a way to report a suspected impaired driver.

During the 2025 Labor Day weekend, which ran from Wednesday, August 13, 2025, through Monday, September 1, 2025, State police issued 9,912 total tickets and arrested 225  individuals for DWI. 

Connecticut Man Arrested on Homicide Charges in Saratoga Springs

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

A Connecticut man wanted in connection with a homicide was arrested in Saratoga Springs after a Saratoga Springs Police officer received an alert from a license plate reader mounted to their patrol car. 

Michael Ranger, 55, of Rocky Hill, CT was arrested at around 10:33 a.m. on Aug. 23, according to a statement by SSPD. The arrest occurred in response to an alert from an automated license plate reader that Ranger was wanted in connection with an incident that occurred on August 22 in Rocky Hill. 

According to the Rocky Hill Police Department, the alleged homicide occurred at around 9:00 p.m. when police responded to a call of a woman suffering from multiple stab wounds. Despite life saving measures, the victim died at a hospital. Ranger, who was identified as a suspect in the incident, allegedly fled the area prior to police arrival. 

After being detained by SSPD, a warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was charged with murder and violation of a standing criminal protective order. He was arraigned in Saratoga Springs City Court and has been sent back to Connecticut, according to a statement by Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Coll. 

In addition to the homicide charge, Ranger is also facing charges in Rocky Hill from arrest on April 5, according to court records. In that case he was charged with felony unlawful restraint, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, and 3rd degree assault. He posted a $5,000 bond and was released from custody. His next court date is June 23, 2027.