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Three Arrested in South Glens Falls Drug Bust      

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The Sheriff’s Office’s Special Operations Team executed a search warrant Sunday at 11:45 p.m. at 12 Prospect St. in the village of South Glens Falls. The warrant was a joint operation between the Sheriff’s Office and the South Glens Falls Police Department and was the culmination of a lengthy investigation into illicit narcotics possession and sales in the village. As a result of the investigation and warrant execution, Khalil A. Danielson, 45, of Brooklyn, N.Y., Nicole L. Wray, 49, of South Glens Falls, N.Y., and Kevin A. Cottone, 37, of South Glens Falls, N.Y., were arrested. 

Danielson was charged with four counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree and two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (class B felonies). He is accused of knowingly and unlawfully possessing a narcotic drug with intent to sell it and a narcotic drug that had an aggregate weight of one-half ounce or more. Danielson was also charged with knowingly and unlawfully selling a narcotic drug. 

Wray and Cottone were each charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree, criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree (class B felonies) and criminal nuisance in the 1st degree (class E felony). They are accused of knowingly and unlawfully possessing a narcotic drug with intent to sell it and a narcotic drug that had an aggregate weight of one-half ounce or more. Both were also charged with maintaining a premise where persons gathered for the purpose of engaging in the unlawful sale of controlled substances and of obtaining a benefit from it. 

All three were arraigned before the Honorable Jeffrey B. McCabe in the Moreau Town Court. Danielson was remanded to the Saratoga County Jail while Wray and Cottone were released to pretrial services pending further proceedings in that court. 

The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

Association for Community Living Responds to Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget Proposal

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The Association for Community Living (ACL) today acknowledged Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal and expressed appreciation for her continued support of mental health and supportive housing programs, even as the State confronts a challenging fiscal year marked by expiring funding sources and overall spending constraints.

Among the proposals most impactful to ACL and its member agencies are a 1.7 percent Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services, and $71 million in funding to increase rates for Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) supported housing programs.

ACL views this investment in supported housing rates as a positive and meaningful signal of the Governor’s recognition of the growing financial pressures facing mental health housing providers. The Association anticipates these funds will support long-needed updates to Scattered Site Supportive Housing rates, as well as stipend increases for community residence and supported program single-room occupancy, (CR-SRO and SP-SRO) programs.

“Governor Hochul has long been a champion for mental health and supportive housing, and we are grateful for her continued commitment during a difficult budget cycle,” said Emil Slane, Executive Director of the Association for Community Living. “The proposed $71 million for supported housing rates is an important step toward strengthening programs that serve some of New York’s most vulnerable residents.”

The Governor’s proposed 1.7 percent Targeted Inflationary Increase, which would apply broadly across provider budgets, represents a shift from prior years when increases were partially restricted to specific cost categories, such as staffing. ACL noted that while this proposal offers helpful flexibility, it falls short of the 2.7 percent increase tied to the Consumer Price Index that ACL and behavioral health advocates have urged to fully reflect current inflationary pressures.

“While a 1.7 percent increase is certainly preferable to no increase at all, it still represents a gap relative to inflation and the real-world costs of operating these essential programs,” Slane added. “Providers continue to face outdated funding models, significant workforce shortages, and an urgent need to offer wages that reflect the complexity and intensity of care being delivered every day.”

ACL emphasized that it remains hopeful that, as budget negotiations continue, the Governor and Legislature will be able to close the remaining gap and make additional adjustments in the final enacted budget.

“We look forward to continuing to work with policymakers ahead of our advocacy day on March 4, to ensure that New York’s mental health housing system is adequately resourced, sustainable, and able to meet the growing needs of individuals and communities across the state,” Emil said.

With more than 100 member agencies supporting nearly 50,000 individuals with serious mental illness, ACL remains committed to strengthening New York’s mental health housing system through advocacy, partnership, and community engagement. 

For more information about ACL visit, https://aclnys.org/. 

Discover Saratoga Announces 27th Annual Chowderfest

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

Discover Saratoga is proud to announce the return of its signature winter event, the 27th Annual Chowderfest, taking place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Saratoga County.

Presented by DeCrescente Distributing Company, Coors Banquet, Saranac, and Surfside, this beloved community event invites locals and visitors alike to sample 4 oz. servings of chowder for $2 each from roughly 80 Saratoga County restaurants and businesses.

“For nearly three decades, Chowderfest has been one of those events that truly defines winter in Saratoga,” said Discover Saratoga President Darryl Leggieri. “It brings people together during the quieter season, supports our local businesses, and reminds visitors that Saratoga County is vibrant year-round. We’re excited to welcome everyone back for another unforgettable day.”

“Chowderfest is one of the best days of the year to go out with friends and enjoy some great tasting chowder and beverages,” said Vice President of DeCrescente Distributing Company Carmine DeCrescente. “Saranac Brewery will be kicking off its seasonal Blueberry Blonde Ale at this year’s event, and you can find it, along with Surfside and Coors Banquet, at bars and restaurants throughout Saratoga County. Cheers to drinking responsibly and may the best chowder win!”  

In addition to chowder tastings, attendees can enjoy live entertainment and family-friendly activities throughout Saratoga. To enhance the experience and ensure pedestrian safety, Broadway will be closed to vehicular traffic from Lake Avenue to Washington Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Free shuttle service will once again be provided, with four shuttles running continuously between Saratoga Casino Hotel and downtown from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Official Chowderfest merchandise—including long-sleeve t-shirts, knit beanies, and the Chowderfest spoon—will be available for purchase at the Saratoga Hilton Lower Lobby and the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center.

Voting will take place through the Discover Saratoga mobile app, with one vote permitted per device. Voting closes at 4:30 p.m., and winners will be announced at 6:00 p.m. at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center.

Participants who vote in the app will be entered to win $1,000 in Saratoga-area gift cards, redeemable at local businesses and restaurants.

“We encourage visitors to turn Chowderfest into a full weekend experience,” Leggieri added. “With special hotel rates, dining, shopping, and winter activities, there’s so much to enjoy beyond the event itself.”

For event details, participating vendors, hotel specials, and shuttle information, visit DiscoverSaratoga.org/Chowderfest or call (518) 584-1531.

Special thanks to our sponsors, including DeCrescente Distributing Company, Coors Banquet, Saranac, Surfside, Westminster Bakers Co., Saratoga Springs City Center, T-Shirt Graphics, Saratoga Hilton, The Daily Gazette, Graves Brothers Home Improvement, Market 32 by Price Chopper in partnership with Old Bay, iHeartMedia, Yankee Home, Nemer CJDR of Saratoga, Upstate Transit of Saratoga, Saratoga Casino Hotel, Saratoga Bridges, Renewal by Andersen, Romeo Ford & Subaru, Saratoga.com, DePaula Auto Group, Townsquare Media, Purdy’s Discount Wine & Liquor, Saratoga Today, Albany Broadcasting, Another Day Another Diner, Reliable Onsite Services, Saratoga Automobile Museum, Julie & Co. Realty, LLC, Saratoga Escape Rooms, Mostly Modern Festival, Adirondack Trust & Amsure, and Impressions of Saratoga.

DMV Offices to Close for Statewide Technology Upgrade

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The Saratoga County Department of Motor Vehicles, along with all DMV offices in New York state, will undergo a large-scale system upgrade next month that will require its three locations to alter their operating hours.

In February, the New York State DMV is implementing the initial phase of a multi-year project to replace and modernize its aging technology systems. To bring the first part of the new system online, the three Saratoga County DMV locations — Ballston Spa, Clifton Park and Wilton — will close early on Friday, February 13, as all DMV operations statewide must cease by 2 p.m. The Saratoga County offices will adjust their closure times according to customer volume that day to ensure the last transaction is complete prior to 2 p.m.

The offices will remain closed Monday, which is the Presidents Day holiday, and Tuesday (February 16-17).

During this time, the state DMV will migrate about 30 million records to the new system and complete the transition to bring the first phase of the upgrade online. No DMV transactions will be able to be completed during this period, including through the state DMV website.

The state DMV’s implementation timeline calls for offices to be operational and open for customer transactions beginning Wednesday, February 18. Saratoga County DMVs plan to open at 8 a.m. that day. Any changes to that will be posted on the county website and the Saratoga County DMV Facebook page.

“While it’s not ideal to close to the public, we look forward to the positive outcome these changes are expected to bring in the long-term for our customers and our hardworking DMV clerks,” Saratoga County Clerk Craig A. Hayner said.

Walsh Honors Cottrell Paper Company’s Inclusion on the Historic Business Preservation Registry

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh presented a proclamation celebrating the inclusion of the Cottrell Paper company in the Historic Business Preservation Registry (Courtesy of Mary Beth Walsh).

Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R, C-Ballston) presented a New York State Assembly proclamation to Cottrell Paper Company yesterday to celebrate its induction into the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry following Walsh’s nomination. 

Receiving the awards were owners Jimmy Cottrell and Josh Cottrell. During her time in office, Walsh has recognized numerous local businesses and organizations, including Morris Ford, Curtis Lumber Co., Stewart’s Shops, Bowman Orchards and Ballston Spa National Bank.

The New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry program is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and highlights businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have contributed to their community’s history.

“It was an honor to celebrate this well-deserved achievement with Cottrell Paper, especially as they marked their biggest week in sales history this week, too,” said Walsh. “They are customer focused with everything they do. They say it themselves—they’ll design exactly what you need.”

Cottrell Paper continues to innovate, including working to develop paper straws and unveiling a new brand, Mill 26, under which they sell products made fully from hemp. They are the only business in the industry to produce 100% heavy hemp paper bags.

“Having held a record of excellence for nearly 100 years and still going strong—now operating seven days a week with 51 employees producing 100,000 to 250,000 pounds of paper per week—is nothing short of remarkable. I wish them all the best and continued success,” concluded Walsh.

Barrett Not Running for Reelection in 2026

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

Phil Barrett announced that 2026 will be his last year on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors. He has been in office as Clifton Park Town/County Supervisor for 26 years. (Aidan Cahill)

For 26 years, Clifton Park has been consistently represented at the county level by one man: Republican Phil Barrett. 

In that time Saratoga County’s population went from 200,635 when he started to 240,360 today, while the GDP went from $5,461,772 in 2001, the earliest year available to $14,870,710 in 2023, the last year available.

Throughout all this growth and subsequent change, Barrett has represented Clifton Park in the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and served as its chair on four separate occasions. 

In 2027, however, that will change. 

On Jan. 12, Barrett announced that this term will be his last. Barrett made the announcement on his personal blog in a post entitled “Never a Good Time,” in which he talked about his career and some of the challenges he faced. 

“I will not be seeking a 15th term as Town/County Supervisor in 2026,” Barrett said in the post. “I agreed to run in 2025, knowing the new term would be a one-year term as opposed to the historical two-year term. Although I completely disagree with the altering of the election schedule, it was a more enticing time frame based on my personal interests.” 

The former Army officer and Commercial Lender began his tenure in the position in 1999 and was subsequently elected 14 times. In 2010, he passed Henry J. Kinns for longest tenured supervisor in town history. During his tenure in office, he was only primaried once however his opponent, Dale Kelley, dropped out before the primary. 

Barrett is currently serving his fourth term as Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors — his third consecutive after a previous term in 2007. 

In the blog post Barrett talked about his longevity in office and said he always viewed the position as a job with two-year contracts given to him by the voters. 

“I have always viewed this position as a job,” Barrett said.  “It’s an important job and a public job, but at the end of the day it’s a job. The voters have provided me the opportunity to do the job on a series of 14 two-year contracts. Perform and you may earn another contract. If you don’t perform the short-term contract may expire, permanently.” 

Barrett’s announcement comes at a time when Clifton Park will see many changes. Democrats swept all the elections they contested in 2025 in Clifton Park, leaving Barrett in the minority in the Town Board. Meanwhile, a state law goes into effect shifting elections for most jurisdictions from odd numbered years to even numbered ones — resulting in a shortened one-year term. 

As for what’s next, Barrett didn’t offer specifics but said he would still be around and won’t be leaving the area. 

Malta Police Chase ends in a Creek

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

A Malta man has been charged with several traffic offenses after trying to hide in a creek while feeling from a DWI. 

Bradley Crannell of Malta was charged with felony DWI, felony unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, speeding, improper plates, uninspected motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle, failing to keep right and passing a red light. 

According to Saratoga County Sheriff’s Deputies, Crannell was initially stopped for erratic driving on East High Street in Malta. While he initially stopped for Deputies, he is alleged to have fled the area. He later abandoned the car at the former location of Spa Brahuas Restaurant on High Street and fled into the woods. 

The Sherriff’s Office subsequently deployed a drone with a thermal camera and spotted Crannell lying next to a creek. He was subsequently taken into custody without further incident. 

Crannell’s DWI was elevated to a felony due to a prior conviction. He was arraigned in Malta Town Court and remanded into the Saratoga County Jail pending further proceedings. 

Burger Busted for DWI by Park Police

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

– Saratoga Springs Supervisor Sarah Burger was arrested for DWI on January 11 by New York State Park Police. (Aidan Cahill)

Newly elected Saratoga Springs Supervisor Sarah Burger has been arrested for DWI. 

The arrest occurred in the early hours of Jan. 11, 2026. Burger was pulled over by New York State Park Police around 11:46 p.m. Jan. 10 and placed under arrest shortly after. She was arraigned, issued an appearance ticket, and subsequently released.  

In a statement put out after the arrest, Mattew Chavin, Burger’s lawyer, said that his client respects the rule of law and is entitled to due process. 

“I have instructed her not to comment on this matter. We are very early in the process and awaiting discovery materials,” Chauvin said. “Accordingly, I will not be making further comment beyond this statement at this time.” 

Burger’s arrest was first reported by WNYT. She is due in court on Feb. 5. 

Burger won her seat on the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors this past November and was sworn in on January 1 of this year. In her election, she received the most votes of any candidate running in a competitive race with 5,458 across the One Saratoga and Democratic party lines. 

Outside of politics, Burger is a partner at her own law firm, Burger Law Group, and served as Saratoga Springs City Attorney in 2014. 

Fugitive from Texas Caught after Police Chase in Spa City

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

The Saratoga Springs Police Department arrested a fugitive from Texas after receiving a report of someone driving erratically on Caroline Street. 

Jody Harr, 47, was arrested by SSPD on a slew of charges after he was caught by Saratoga Springs Police during a DWI investigation. 

According to SSPD, around 11:00 p.m., they received a report from a concerned citizen about a driver who was possibly intoxicated near the intersection of Caroline Street and Henry Street. When officers approached on foot, the driver, later identified as Harr, fled the scene. This triggered a chase which ended near the intersection of West Circular Street and Union Street. 

Harr was initially taken into custody for DWI but further investigation revealed that he was wanted in Texas related to child pornography offenses. 

He was charged with being a fugitive from justice, felony DWI- two prior convictions in the last 10 years, felony aggravated DWI, felony operating a motor vehicle with BAC over .08, misdemeanor reckless driving, and misdemeanor unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. In addition, he received several traffic violations including passing a red light, failure to stop at a stop sign, driving to the left of pavement markings, and driving on a sidewalk. 

In an email to Saratoga TODAY, SSPD confirmed that the warrants for Harr’s arrest were issued by the Grand Prairie Police Department in Dallas County, TX. While the SSPD couldn’t cite Texas law specifically, they did state that the warrant was related to child pornography charges in Texas. 

A review of court records from the Dallas County District Court shows that Harr has been charged with one count of 3rd degree possession of child pornography. During the course of the case, prosecutors alleged in court filings that Harr sent harassing messages to an individual involved and her son. 

While bond for this case was set at $20,000, it has since been revoked. The last action related to the case took place on July 8, 2024, and the case is currently listed as inactive. This inactive status is done when something court can’t resume is due to factors beyond the control of the court — such as when a warrant is issued for the arrest of the defendant, according to the State of Texas Judicial Branch. 

As for Harr’s other charges, this is far from his first time being arrested for DWI. A review of his criminal record from the Texas Department of Public Safety shows four arrests for DWI in the state — the latest two coming in 2023 and 2017. 

Harr was remanded into the custody of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office pending extradition back to Texas. 

State Police arrest four following a staged kidnapping prank

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

On January 7, 2026, State Police of Saratoga arrested Jasmine R. Barber, 20, of Champlain, NY, Emily R. Ferdinandi, 20, of Champlain, NY, and two 18-year-olds each for Falsely Reporting an Incident in the third degree.

On January 7, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., Troopers received a report that a vehicle was traveling southbound on I-87 Northway in Saratoga County with a passenger who was reportedly displaying a handwritten sign stating “help!! being kidnapped!!”. During a significant law enforcement response, a vehicle matching the caller’s description was located on I-87 Northway in Malta, NY, and was stopped, causing a temporary shutdown of I-87 southbound. The 18-year-old driver and passengers Barber, Ferdinandi, and an 18-year-old were removed from the vehicle and detained. Further investigation determined that all individuals in the vehicle were aware that the sign was displayed as an alleged “joke” and no kidnapping had occurred.

All four were arrested and transported to SP Saratoga for processing. Each was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Malta Town Court on February 5, 2026, and released.

State Police wants to emphasize that falsely reporting a kidnapping is not a prank or a mistake; it’s a serious crime with real consequences.

 When a false any false emergency report is made, emergency responders rush into action, diverting police, medical, and rescue resources away from people who may genuinely need help. Families and communities experience fear and trauma, and in some cases, false reports can even put officers and bystanders in danger.