A Boulder Colorado man has been arrested after he was caught in a sting operation in Malta targeting sexual predators.
Preston Purdy, 42, of Boulder Colorado was arrested by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and charged with four counts of attempted first-degree rape, and four counts of felony attempted first degree aggravated sexual abuse.
According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call on Nov. 9 at 12:15 p.m. on Manning Road in the Town of Malta that a private sexual predator sting was taking place at the residence. The caller told the target of the sting had arrived at the residence possessing child sexual abuse material.
Purdy allegedly flew from Colorado to the capital region with the intention of meeting three children aged 3, 8, and 11.
The sting was conducted by Eric Authors, and live streamed on the New York State Predator Alert 2.0 Facebook page.
“To say that Purdy’s intentions were unspeakable, horrifying and send a chill down every parent’s spine is a major understatement,” Sheriff Jeffrey R. Brown said. “This case truly demonstrates the worst of the worst.”
Purdy was remanded into the Saratoga County jail, and the investigation is ongoing, the Sheriff’s Office said.
A Home Depot Employee has been arrested after he showed a gun to a coworker at the Wilton Home Depot.
Michael Mundell, 32, of Wilton was arrested on Nov. 3 and charged with felony 2nd degree criminal possession of a weapon, 15 counts of felony third degree criminal possession of a weapon, and four counts of felony criminal possession of a firearm.
According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies received a report of a person with a weapon on Nov. 3 at 9:38 p.m. after Mundell allegedly showed a loaded gun with a large capacity magazine to a fellow coworker at the Home Depot in Wilton.
After his arrest a search warrant was executed on his home which found three illegal handguns, eight large capacity magazines, three assault weapons, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a shotgun that had been reported stolen from the Town of Malta in 2022.
Mundell was arraigned in Milton Town Court and remanded to the Saratoga County jail pending further proceedings.
On November 3, 2026, State Police of Wilton arrested Anthony S. George, 24, of Fort Ann, NY, for:
• Two counts of Reckless Endangerment 1st, a class “D” felony
• Two counts of Criminal Contempt 2nd, a class “E” felony
• Numerous vehicle and traffic law violations
On November 3, 2026, at about 11:06 a.m., troopers responded to the report of a multi-car hit-and-run crash on State Route 9 in Moreau. The investigation determined George and the victim were reportedly in a physical altercation while in a vehicle driven by George in the area of Beach Road in South Glens Falls when the victim jumped out of the vehicle and entered a Good Samaritan’s vehicle, asking them to drive her to a law enforcement agency.
The Good Samaritan’s vehicle fled the area with the victim inside, and George reportedly followed them. George then allegedly intentionally struck the other vehicle with his vehicle multiple times. While the vehicle containing the victim was attempting to evade George’s vehicle southbound on State Route 9, it unintentionally struck an uninvolved northbound vehicle. George reportedly stopped for a short period after the collision but then fled in his vehicle before law enforcement’s arrival.
Further investigation found that this incident occurred while an active court-issued stay-away order of protection was in place against George, with the victim listed as the protected party.
George was located and arrested at a home in South Glens Falls with the assistance of the South Glens Falls Police Department and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. He was then transported to SP Wilton for processing. George was arraigned at the Moreau Town Court, where he was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 cash, $10,000 bond, or a $50,000 partially secured bond.
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation recently announced the opening of a new multi-use trail at Moreau Lake State Park. The 0.7-mile trail provides an additional, less strenuous route from the Lake Bonita parking area to the southern Lake Bonita viewing area as an extension of the existing Lake Ann Trail. The path takes visitors to picturesque lakes of Bonita and Ann, connecting with the park’s nearly 35-mile trail network.
The wide, gentle trail meanders through the forest with views of vernal pools and unique rock formations, offering a relaxing experience. The trail features several new boardwalks and bridges, along with an expansive trailhead area for educational programming and group outings.
The trail is perfect for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and non-motorized biking. Pets are allowed on the park trails but are required to be on a leash no longer than six feet and under control at all times. Visitors can access this trail from the Lake Bonita parking area on Wilton Mountain Road. The roughly two-mile Lake Bonita Loop trail is still accessible from this parking area.
The new trail is part of the two-mile Lake Ann Trail as shown on the Moreau Lake State Park Trail Map. Visitors are encouraged to download trail maps through the free New York State Parks Explorer app before traveling to the park.
Equestrian use is allowed in this area of the park, but is not recommended because of steep, rocky trails. Nearby Big Bend Preserve features six miles of multi-use trail, including horseback riding. An equestrian permit is required to ride in Moreau Lake State Park and Big Bend Preserve.
Hunting is prohibited in the Lake Bonita area but is permitted in other sections of Moreau Lake State Park. Hunting is not permitted within 500 feet of any building, road, playground, or parking lot, and all trails are considered safety zones where hunting is not allowed. Hikers are encouraged to wear high-visibility colors such as orange or pink when on the trails during the hunting season. For more hiking safety tips, click here.
Trail and hunting maps are available at the Moreau Lake State Park Office, the park’s website, and the Explorer app. For further information, call the park office at 518-793-0511.
Saratoga County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Brown announced Nov. 9 that Korean War veteran Paul O’Keefe will serve as the grand marshal once again for the 13th annual Toys for Tots Convoy.
O’Keefe was drafted into the U.S. Army and attended basic training at Camp Atterbury in Indiana, followed by special training at Camp Haugen in Tokyo, Japan. He served with the 24th Infantry Division in Korea.
After his military service, O’Keefe served as a firefighter in Mechanicville and Hemstreet Park for 65 years and as chaplain for the latter for 56 years. He also served as chaplain for the American Legion Post 91 and the Saratoga County Deceased Veterans monthly ceremony. As past president of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, he pushed a wheelbarrow from Mechanicville City Hall to Albany City Hall three times, raising thousands of dollars for the cause.
O’Keefe has been widowed twice, both times due to cancer, and participated in Mechanicville’s cancer march for many years. He worked as a laboratory technician at General Electric Silicones, retiring after 33 years.
“There really isn’t anybody who defines service to their community and country better than Paul O’Keefe,” Brown said. “It’s a privilege and an honor to welcome him again this year.”
The convoy is slated for Nov. 15. Lineup begins at 10 a.m. at the Ballston Spa High School campus at 220 Ballston Ave. in Ballston Spa, followed by a short convoy to Saratoga Performing Arts Center at 11 a.m. Donations will be handed over to Capital Region Toys for Tots for distribution this holiday season.
The holiday season returns to downtown Ballston Spa on Friday, December 4, as the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association (BSBPA) hosts its 41st Annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting along Milton Avenue.
First held in 1985, this beloved community tradition continues to bring families, neighbors, and visitors together for one of the village’s most anticipated events of the year.
The parade steps off at 6:30 PM from the north end of Milton Avenue and proceeds south to West High Street. The festivities conclude in Wiswall Park, where Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive aboard an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company fire truck for the annual lighting of the village holiday tree.
The event will once again support the Toys for Tots Campaign in partnership with the Ballston Spa Community Emergency Corps, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Volunteers will be collecting new, unwrapped toys along the parade route and during the tree lighting ceremony to help bring holiday cheer to local children.
“After 41 years, this parade remains one of the most special traditions in Ballston Spa,” said Dana Womer, Holiday Parade Committee Chairperson. “It’s wonderful to see families return year after year, welcome new faces, and come together to kick off the holiday season. And, of course, Santa arriving by fire truck to light the tree is always a highlight.”
Adding to the evening, the BSBPA’s First Friday celebration will take place the same night. Downtown shops and businesses will extend their hours and welcome visitors with holiday treats, hot cocoa, hot chowder, seasonal activities, and more. Free parking is available throughout the village.
For more information about the Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, visit www.ballston.org.
Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum is proud to present the 26th Annual Artisans Market! This holiday market will feature exclusively handmade and handcrafted items made by local artisans and offers the opportunity to find the perfect gifts for friends and family. Find unique gifts for your loved ones while helping support local creators this holiday season.
The market will open on Small Business Saturday, November 28, and will run through Tuesday, December 23, 2026. Shop a wide variety of items, including jewelry, knitwear, leather goods, soaps, candles and lotions, hot fudge, cookies and sweets, artwork, ceramics, cards, teas, candles, and much more! This year’s market will be open Tuesdays – Fridays, 12pm – 4pm and Saturdays & Sundays, 11am – 4pm. Admission is free.
During the market, join us for two special events: Meet the Artisans December 12, 11am – 4pm: Meet some of our talented artisans and sample holiday goodies while you shop at the Artisan’s Market. Shop ‘n’ Sip December 17, 6pm – 8pm. Enjoy hot cocoa, cider and yummy sweets while shopping at this special pop-up event.
“Every year the Artisan’s Market gets better! This one-of-a-kind shopping experience offers a variety of unique items, making holiday shopping simple. And each item sold supports both SCHC @ Brookside Museum and local artisans!” remarked Beth Silvestri, Museum Retail Manager.
In the spirit of gifting and giving, SCHC is an official Toys for Tots Drop-Off location this holiday season. Please consider donating a new unwrapped toy through December 7. Throughout the duration of the market, SCHC will also be running a Holiday Food Drive, to benefit LifeWorks Community Action. Bring in a non-perishable food item for LifeWorks Community Action during our holiday Artisan Market, and receive one free Artisan’s Market Raffle ticket, limited to one free raffle ticket per person.
Local sponsors of Toys for Toga are offering several options for supporting Saratoga’s own local toy drive (Aidan Cahill)
Businesses and local officials gathered at the top of Caroline Street to mark the start of the annual Toys for Toga Toy Drive. (Aidan Cahill)
It’s a magical moment that transcends generations.
December 25th comes around and kids across the country race to the tree to see what “Santa” brought them.
But for those in need in Saratoga County, this can be a moment of stress as parents struggle to balance bills, cost of food, gas prices, and other expenses along with the need to make sure their kids have a Merry Christmas.
Enter Toys for Toga, an annual toy drive founded to provide local kids with toys during the holiday season. The drive, which is in its 14th year, held a kickoff event for the 2026 season on Nov. 10 at the intersection of Caroline and Broadway. The initiative runs from Nov. 2–Dec. 12.
At the end of the drive, the toys are donated to three Saratoga County charities — Franklin Community Center, CAPTAIN Community Human Services and the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center.
William Oswald, the founder of Toys for Toga, said the drive was inspired by an old bar tradition where people would pin donations to bar the in order to help various charitable causes or just to help out someone going through a rough time. Oswald said the drive has grown from humble beginnings at Saratoga Brewing to what it is now.
“It was literally me and my tap room manager driving around in our white van picking up toys, and it just has grown and grown,” Oswald said.
After the close of the brewery in 2018, the drive was taken on by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and Discover Saratoga before falling under the umbrella of the charity Brewnited around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2025 the drive collected over 5,500 toys and collected over $18,000 with the money being used to purchase gifts for the three charities supported by the initiative. Oswald said much of this money is used to buy gifts for older kids who don’t have the same needs as younger kids.
Oswald said that the response to the toy drive from the business community has been overwhelmingly positive.
“When I walk around town and hand out boxes, people they light up,” Oswald said. “When I say, ‘Oh, we’re doing this event or that,’ people are like, ‘What do you need? How can I help? What can I?.’ It’s the totality of the community that’s really special.”
This year those looking to support the toy drive have multiple ways to contribute. In addition to dropping a new toy in one of the dozens of white boxes across the county, residents looking to support can buy a special Toys for Toga IPA from Druthers, donate to the Go Fund Me or Saratoga County Foundation or donate a toy at one of the partner events including:
• We Brew the Funny at Artisanal Brew Works on Nov. 14
• The 40th Annual Victorian Streetwalk on Dec. 3
• Quick Response Holiday Lights Toy Collection on Dec. 11 and 12
• Toys for Tattoos at the Saratoga Tattoo Company on Dec. 13
• Toys for Toga Dine to Donate at Cantina on Dec. 16.
Full details about these events and links to the GoFundMe can be found on Discover Saratoga’s website, available by scanning the QR code.
The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), the nation’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to the lifetime care of retired Thoroughbreds, has launched its 2026 Hay & Feed Drive with a generous $100,000 matching gift from Peggy and Richard Santulli. Every donation will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, giving supporters an opportunity to double their impact on the care of TRF’s nearly 350 retired horses.
Collectively, the TRF herd consumes approximately 12,000 pounds of hay every day, totaling 4.3 million pounds annually. Each horse also consumes approximately 3,150 pounds of grain each year, adding up to 1.1 million pounds across the herd.
Every horse receives an individualized feeding plan designed to meet its nutritional needs and support its health as it ages. Maintaining a reliable supply of quality hay and feed is a significant ongoing expense, making donor support critical to the well-being of the herd.
“Providing the right nutrition for every horse is an essential part of the care we promise them for life,” said Maggie Sweet, Executive Director of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. “We are grateful once again for Peggy and Richard Santulli for their generous matching gift. Their support gives our donors an opportunity to double their impact and helps ensure our horses receive the individualized care they need to thrive.”
Every gift helps TRF provide the nutrition its horses depend on, supporting their health, comfort and security throughout their lives. To donate to the 2026 Hay & Feed Drive and double your impact, visit www.trfinc.org.
Saratoga County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Brown announced Oct. 29 the formation of the Saratoga County Trafficking Illicit Narcotics and Gang Enforcement (STING) task force.
The task force will consist of members of the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Saratoga Springs Police Department, Waterford Police Department, Mechanicville Police Department, South Glens Falls Police Department and Ballston Spa Police Department. It will expand the coordination and cooperation between member agencies to primarily investigate the illegal sale of street drugs as well as the involvement of gangs and criminal enterprises in criminal activity throughout Saratoga County.
“I am proud to usher in a new era of collaboration in the fight against these serious crimes,” Brown said. “We’re seeing significant overlap among these criminal activities, along with an alarming increase in their sophistication. At a time when law enforcement agencies across the country are being asked to do more with less, coordination is essential. We must work together, share resources and intelligence, and ensure our efforts are complementary rather than duplicative. I’m grateful for the partnerships that make this task force possible, and I’m confident STING will be a critical tool in our ongoing efforts to protect the people of Saratoga County. To those who seek to victimize our residents: make no mistake, we will work tirelessly and together to hold you accountable and get you off our streets.”
STING was approved by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors in July.
“When Sheriff Brown came to me with this idea, I could not say yes quickly enough. As a career police officer myself, I know that criminals are not restricted by municipal boundaries,” Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Public Safety Committee Chairman and Milton Town Supervisor Scott Ostrander said. “Having a formal agreement for these agencies to work together will definitely have an impact on keeping our county safe.”
