BALLSTON SPA — At 8:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office says it received a call from a resident reporting that their juvenile son received a Snap Chat message earlier in the evening containing a threat of a school shooting at the Ballston Spa Central School District.
An investigation conducted by Sheriff’s Office members, including Investigators and School Resource Officers (SRO’s), identified the person who sent the message, and determined that the person who sent the message did not have the means to carry out the threat and that the threat was not credible.
Additional Sheriff’s Office patrols will be at the Ballston Spa Schools due to this information being passed along on social media.
“The individual who sent the threatening text message will be held accountable,” reads a statement released by the Sheriff’s Office, although it did not specify what that accountability will involve. “An additional update will be sent once that information can be released publicly.”
Rendering of the proposed welcome center at the Saratoga County Airport, depicting south and west façade, drop-off canopy, and horse & jockey sculpture. Photo: Saratoga County.
SARATOGA COUNTY — Gov. Kathy Hochul announced nine upstate airports – Saratoga and Albany among them, have been awarded $230 million for revitalization projects to “reimagine and further modernize airports across upstate New York.”
“Great to be back. The last time I was officially here was for an ice storm in April, so this is much better,” Gov. Hochul said, announcing the grants during a Sept. 14 presser at Greater Binghamton Airport.
“Our upstate airports are our gateways to local economies and make lasting impressions, connecting New Yorkers and tourists to the beautiful destinations that the Empire State has to offer.”
Saratoga County Airport was awarded $27 million for the construction of a new, state-of-the-art, energy-efficient terminal building.
The new building’s first floor will provide two spacious passenger waiting areas, a multi-media conference room, and a café and ice cream counter that will open onto a courtyard with outdoor access. The lobby area will feature a display area for automobiles from the Saratoga Automobile Museum, while the second floor of the building will provide space for pilots as well as a restaurant area and an exhibit area for local artists.
The hangar portion of the building will be finished with aged, reclaimed wood to mirror the look of the many Saratoga County horse and agricultural barns, while a solar array on top of the hangar roof will help reduce the airport’s collective carbon footprint.
The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors meanwhile have hosted a series of on-again, off-again discussions and public hearings dating back to last year regarding a proposed lease at the Saratoga County Airport with Prime Group Holdings, LLC for the construction, maintenance and use of an airplane hangar on county land. It is not currently known how the governor’s new announcement of funding may affect that previous proposal.
The funding comes from the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, a competitive solicitation which aims to promote, revitalize and accelerate investments in upstate commercial passenger service airports, helping to create airports for the 21st century.
“The grants are extraordinary,” Hochul said. “By making critical investments to further modernize facilities across upstate New York, we are lifting upstate airports to new heights and providing a 21st century transportation experience that travelers expect and deserve.”
The nine airports awarded grants are Binghamton, Albany, Watertown, Syracuse, Rochester, Ogdensburg, Saratoga County, Sullivan County, and Adirondack Airports.
Albany International Airport was awarded $60 million for the expansion of the airport’s terminal, which will provide enhanced passenger amenities pre- and post-checkpoint and more efficient passenger flow through security.
Pre-check point, the Albany project will create a modern business center for conferences and community gathering spaces to alleviate congestion. At checkpoint, the project will expand the security queue. Post-security, the project will expand the area where passengers prepare themselves for their journey, creating additional retail space, a children’s play zone, a multi-sensory calming room, and an outdoor green space. In addition, the project will improve the facility’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, for enhanced indoor air quality and filtration.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Applicants EC Woodlawn Vandam Property, LLC are seeking the demolition of an existing structure at 119 Woodlawn Ave.
The structure is “dilapidated, incapable of restoration, uninsurable unusable,” according to documents submitted to the city. Its demolition “would benefit the aesthetic of the neighborhood thereby increasing property values of the neighboring lots.”
The owner acquired the lot April 20, 2022. The structure is a single-family, 1,312 square foot home believed to be built about 1940, and is located just off Van Dam Street, and roughly opposite Bethel Saratoga Church.
A determination of the architectural/historic significance of that residential structure is under consideration by the Saratoga Springs Design Review Commission Board, which next meets at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at City Hall.
Additional applications under consideration at the DRC include: a determination of architectural/historic significance of the motel, spa structures and gazebo with a mineral spring located at 120 South Broadway – where demolition is sought, and the Architectural Review of a proposed six-story, mixed-use building development at 30 Caroline St.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The recently reconstituted local Board of Trustees of the historic and oldest still existing cemetery in the City of Saratoga Springs, the Southside (formerly Whitford) Cemetery, has called for an annual meeting of plot owners (or their descendants) for Oct. 8. It has been more than a decade since an annual meeting of plot owners has been called.
The Association has owned the cemetery since 1869. Inactive for several years, it was reorganized in late 2021, and a new and local Board of Trustees took over. After reestablishing the association’s tax, legal, and insurance footings, the Association launched a major tree and site cleanup and installed a new front fence and gate, designed to be similar to the historic Gideon Putnam Burial Ground.
Following the initial cleanup, the board decided that further steps should be taken to restore the perimeter fence, repair and clean tombstones, etc. and that a meeting of plot owners be called in order to launch the next round of fund raising to accomplish future rounds of cleanup and restoration.
The meeting takes place 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 at VFW POST 420, 190 Excelsior Ave. Those planning to attend should notify the board secretary by mail or email and provide information regarding your plot owner family. Contact: Dione L. Ramsdill, Trustee-Secretary, P. O. Box 711 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Email: dlramsdill@gmail.com
SARATOGA SPRINGS — A new drone image released by the city of Saratoga Springs captures progress on Fire Station 3 on Sept. 13, 2022. The new station, expected to open next summer, will provide expanded emergency services to the eastern plateau and the city.
SARATOGA SPRINGS —With the support of a grant from Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation, the Saratoga Senior Center is offering rides to and from the grocery store from five different senior housing locations / areas in Saratoga Springs. The rides are offered twice a month from each location and go to the Ballston Avenue Market 32. The seniors have about an hour in the store to shop. Interested seniors can call the Saratoga Senior Center for dates and times of rides.
The Saratoga Senior Center is a non-profit, non-residential community center located in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs, open to adults aged 50 and up to participate in programs, trips & social activities tailored to adults and seniors. The Center’s Senior Support Services office offers information, referrals, advocacy, food assistance, aid to help seniors age in place, and intensive support for the chronically ill. The Center’s “Community Connections” volunteers can fill many gaps that other agencies may not be able to meet.
The Center is located at 5 Williams St. in Saratoga Springs. Early in 2023 they will be relocating to a new 14k sq ft home adjacent to the Regional YMCA on West Ave. in Saratoga Springs.
SARATOGA COUNTY — Women who are providing the primary source of financial support for their families while pursuing their education are encouraged to apply for the Soroptimist “Live Your Dream” award.
Soroptimist International of Saratoga County, a volunteer organization for business and professional women, is offering grants up to $5,000 for any costs related to pursuing an education. The first-place award recipient is also eligible for additional awards at the regional and international Soroptimist levels.
Eligible applicants must: Demonstrate financial need; Be accepted or enrolled in an undergraduate or vocational skills training program; Live in or near Saratoga County.
Soroptimist International of Saratoga County is part of an international volunteer women’s organization with 72,000 members in 121 countries and territories. The group provides both hands-on and financial support for programs and people in keeping with the Soroptimist mission to empower and improve the lives of women, girls and the community, locally and globally.
Applications must be submitted by Nov. 15, 2022. For more information and a link to the online application go to: www.soroptimist.org/our-work/live-your-dream-awards/apply-for-the-live-your-dream-awards.html. Email liveyourdreamsaratoga@gmail.com with questions or to request a mentor.
For more information: www.soroptimistsaratoga.org.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — SoBro Conservancy of Saratoga, a newly formed not-for-profit organization, is looking at the regreening of a parcel on South Broadway.
The property is a triangular, 0.2-acre parcel located where South Broadway, Ballston Avenue, and Circular Street meet.
SoBro Conservancy – dedicated to conserving vacant urban parcels and transforming them into pollinator-friendly green spaces, has accepted donation of the parcel, which was the site of a former gas station.
Tom Denny, head of SoBro Conservancy, will discuss the donation and plans for the parcel during a gathering at the project site, located at 209 South Broadway, at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29.
BALLSTON SPA —The Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum is seeking craft vendors for its 22nd Annual Artisan’s Market. This juried market is to be held at the Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum from Nov. 26 through Dec. 24.
The Artisan’s Market features only hand-made, hand-crafted products created by the vendor.
The Juried Artisan Market is held at SCHC @ Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave. Ballston Spa. SCHC @ Brookside Museum handles all sales tax and pays vendors 60% of the sale price of their items. Booth fees are $30 for a 4’x4’ area and $45 for a 4’x6’ area. A limited number of booths with electricity are available for an additional $10 per booth. Vendors must provide a typed (preferably digital) inventory list. Vendors are responsible for their booth set up; tables and shelving will not be provided by SCHC @ Brookside Museum.
Applications can be downloaded at brooksidemuseum.org/events/artisans-market/ and can be emailed to bsilvestri@brooksidemuseum.org or mailed to: Brookside Museum, Attn: Beth Silvestri, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa, NY 12020.
Meet the Breeds, hosted by Saratoga County 4-H & Saratoga Kennel Club at Ballston Spa on Sept. 10, 2022. Photo provided.
BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County 4-H collaborated with the Saratoga Kennel Club to host Meet the Breeds earlier this month at the Saratoga County 4-H Training Center.
Approximately 250 attendees were treated to a wide array of canines and canine-related businesses, and over 20 breeds of dogs were present, including: Afghan, Australian Koolies, Azawakh, Belgian Shepherd, Belgian Tervuren, Bernese Mountain Dog, Border Collie, Boston Terrier, Chinese Crested, Dachshund, Dobermann, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Giant Schnauzer, Golden Retriever, Japanese Chin, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Standard Schnauzer, and Taigan.
For more information about 4-H, visit ccesaratoga.org or call CCE at 518-885-8995.
