SARATOGA COUNTY — Three businesses were highlighted by New York State Police for allegedly not being in compliance under the New York Beverage Control Law Section 65 – Prohibited Sale to Person Under the Age of 21 – during an initiative last week when six Saratoga County businesses were checked for compliance.

Those businesses – all located in Malta, are: CVS, 2535 State Route 9; Stewart’s Shops, 2951 State Route 9, and Wine & Liquor Shop of Malta, 5 Kendall Way.  

Three people were charged with unlawfully dealing with a child in the first-degree, a misdemeanor, after allegedly selling alcohol to persons under the age of 21.

During these investigations, Businesses are checked utilizing a Trooper in plainclothes, and one or several underage operatives who cannot lie about their age or provide a false date of birth.

State Police also recognized the following establishments for their compliance: XtraMart, 2954 State Route 9, Malta, Runway Express, 1402 Saratoga Rd, Ballston Spa, and Valero, 1324 Saratoga Rd, Ballston Spa. 

BALLSTON SPA — Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chairman Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. today announced the County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution for a new contract with the United Public Service Employees Union (UPSEU) at its Board Meeting on June 20. The Union represents 131 Sheriff’s Office employees who work in the County Correctional Facility and 911 Communications Center.

“This contract with the Saratoga County United Public Services Employees Union, provides a fair and balanced contract that is beneficial for not only our employees, but also the taxpayers of Saratoga County,” Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Chair Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr. said, in a statement.   “Equally as important, the agreement incorporates measures that will help our Sheriff’s Office recruit and retain qualified employees dedicated to serving our residents at both our County Jail and our Communications Center.” 

The three-year agreement provides union members a one year $4,000 wage increase retroactive to January 1, 2023, and incorporates a 2.95% wage increase in both 2024 and 2025. This will help the county attract and retain both corrections officers and 911 Dispatchers, for which the County has a critical fulfillment need. 

As part of the agreement, all affected employees will increase their health care contribution and will pay increased copays for health insurance services.

MALTA — Ellsworth Commons, the popular retail and residential community in downtown Malta, this week announced a renaming of the property to feature two unique identities: the boutique apartment complex now known as The Ellsworth and its accompanying retail and office marketplace, Malta Center. 

Developed more than a decade ago to support the Luther Forest Tech Park, today the community incorporates a four-building configuration that houses 312 apartments and 60,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial, retail and office space at 2545 Route 9 in Malta.

Located along the Route 9 Corridor just north of the traffic circle at Route 67, The Ellsworth and Malta Center offer apartments, eateries, retail storefronts and a variety of services. 

Forthcoming improvements to Malta Center include enhanced landscaping and visibility along Route 9; paving and parking upgrades; uniform awnings along the building exterior; and new signage throughout the property. 

SARATOGA COUNTY — On June 26 Saratoga County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Hans Creek Road in the Town of Providence shortly before 8 p.m. for a report of a one-car, rollover crash with serious injuries and entrapment. 

The involved vehicle was occupied only by its driver, 17-year-old Tyler Scocca of Galway. Scocca suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Saratoga County Coroner Anthony Perniciaro, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. 

The investigation indicated that Scocca was heading west on Hans Creek Road, west of Fayville Road, when he lost control, left the south side of the roadway and rolled over striking a tree. Unsafe speed appears to be a contributing factor in the crash, according to authorities. 

Friday, June 30

Fireworks and Water Ski Show

Jumpin’ Jacks, 5 Schonowee Ave., Scotia | 7 p.m. the US Water Ski show Team. 8 p.m. Joe Adee & The Lug Nuts at Freedom Park and at dark fireworks. Free admission.

Saturday, July 1

Music on the Mountain Concert

West Mountain, 59 West Mountain Rd., Queensbury | 6 – 10 p.m.

Kick off the 4th of July with the summer concert featuring live music from Jukebox Rebellion, vendors, activities, food and beverage, and fireworks. www.westmountain.com

Sunday, July 2

Saratoga Lake Fireworks Display 2023

Brown’s Beach, 511 NY 9P, Saratoga Springs | 9:15 p.m. The Town of Stillwater’s annual fireworks display. There will be $5 parking available at Brown’s Beach starting at 9 a.m. The fireworks will begin at dusk (around 9:15 – 9:30 p.m.) Parking is limited, and the Town recommends carpooling or hiring a ride share to attend the fireworks display. For more info, contact the Town of Stillwater at 518-664-6148. Follow their Facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/StillwaterNY

Coca-Cola July 4th Fest

Six Flags Great Escape, 89 Six Flags Dr., Queensbury

Enjoy fireworks, rides, discounted tickets and more! 

Monday, July 3

Fourth of July Fireworks

Washington County Fairgrounds, 392 Old Schuylerville Rd., Greenwich | 4:30 p.m.  | Come to the Washington County Fairgrounds for the Independence Day Celebration! Gates and food vendors open at 4:30 p.m. Attendance is free. New this year – a drone show! Fireworks to follow. 

Glens Falls Symphony Summer Pops Concert and Fireworks

Crandall Park, 598 Glen St., Glens Falls | 7:30 p.m.

This annual family favorite Independence Day concert is free and open to all. The public is invited to come early, set up blankets and chairs, and enjoy food and beverages from a variety of food and beverage vendors. The concert will conclude with an impressive display of fireworks at dusk, set to John William’s “Summon the Heroes.”

Tuesday, July 4

Saratoga’s All-American Celebration

Downtown Saratoga Springs

All day event | The day will include the annual Firecracker4 Road Race, a free, family-friendly concert featuring Big Sky Country and a spectacular fireworks display. Organized by the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Saratoga’s All-American Celebration draws thousands of attendees each year and serves as a fun way for families to celebrate Independence Day. 

Schedule of events:
• Firecracker4 Road Race begins at 9 a.m. at the Saratoga Springs City Center. Registration is now open at www.fc4events.com.

• Big Sky Country Band performs 6-9 p.m. on Ellsworth Jones Pl.

• Fireworks set off at 9 p.m. from the top of the Saratoga Springs City Center Garage. 

More information about Saratoga’s All-American Celebration can be found online at saratoga.org.

Town of Clifton Park July 4th Celebration

Clifton Common, 16 Clifton Common Boulevard, Clifton Park

Noon to 10 p.m. | Bring your family, friends and neighbors as we mark the birth of our nation in small-town American style. The parade from Shenendehowa Campus to Clifton Common will kick-off of the fun-filled event at 12 p.m. From noon until dusk there will be activities and displays for children of all ages – including community groups and a craft show. There will also be live music and food vendors. The evening concludes with fireworks.

New York State’s 4th of July Celebration

Empire State Plaza, Albany | 5 – 10 p.m. recognized as the biggest and best in upstate New York. This event features an exciting program filled with incredible live music by the ‘Queen of Percussion’ Sheila E., great food and beverages, and the best fireworks display in the region!

Lake George 4th of July Fireworks

Shepard Park & Lake George Village Waterfront, Canada St. & Beach Road, Lake George

9:30 p.m. | Fireworks that can be viewed all along the waterfront. Time is approximate, they will go off immediately following sundown. Free admission.

BALLSTON SPA — At its monthly meeting held on June 20, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the following resolutions:  

• Authorizing the use of opioid settlement funds by the Saratoga County Department of Health (DOH) to support prevention programs, prevent misuse of opioids, and prevent overdose deaths and other harms.

In 2017, the Board authorized the commencement of litigation against the manufacturers, distributors, and certain prescribing physicians of opioid pharmaceuticals to recover damages resulting from the county combatting and treating opioid abuse. With the settlement of some of the lawsuits, the county received funds to be used for opioid remediation. 

With the boards’ action taken Tuesday, the Saratoga County DOH will use $72,000 of those opioid settlement funds to increase availability and distribution of naloxone and purchase additional ancillary supplies – such as drug disposal systems and drug test strips, to be included in the County’s Overdose Rescue kits, which are distributed at announced community events.

Additionally, $44,000 in opioid settlement funds received by the county will be used to support the DOH’s initiatives to provide school-based programs to prevent drug misuse, including related travel expenses associated with the presentations. 

• Saratoga County had previously been awarded $44.65 million in APRA funds through the Federal Government’s American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. 

The Board of Supervisors this week unanimously approved $820,000 of its received ARPA funds for the purchase of a Hazardous Material Response Vehicle (HAZMAT) County through the Toyne, Inc. company. 

• The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved urging NY Gov. Kathy Hochul to oppose legislation and utilize her veto authority to reject a proposal that would move some local elections across the state to even-numbered years. 

The county Board expressed several concerns in its vote opposing the bill. Among them: it would usurp home rule powers reserved by local governments; election and ballot counting technology would not be capable to meet the demands of a significantly increased ballot size, and alleging the change would create confusion among voters in towns and counties across the state.  

If approved by Gov. Hochul, the measure would not affect elections this year, according to a report by the Associated Press. Local officials eventually would have to run for a shortened term to get them on an even-year cycle.