BALLSTON SPA — Stewart’s Shops officially announced on April 18 that it will close its on 404 Geyser Road in Ballston Spa. The store will close on Sunday, April 30. “All Partners will be offered placement at other shops,” according to a company statement.  

Residents of the neighborhood shop had initiated a Save Our Local Store petition that had garnered 120 signatures.  

“Please do not close our neighborhood Stewart’s: the only Stewart’s within walking distance of Geyser Crest neighborhood,” reads the petition. “We love this store and use it every day. It’s part of our community, and the neighborhood will not be the same without it.” 

Stewart’s Shops said it chose to close the Geyser Road location to refocus their efforts on serving customers at nearby locations. 

“In most areas, Stewart’s Shops have the space to be the community grocery store, restaurant and gas station and this shop cannot expand to fit those needs. It is always a difficult decision to close a shop, and we would like to thank all our loyal customers for their business,” Stewart’s Shops president Gary Dake said in a statement.

The company added that this closure is not a reflection of the company overall, and that in 2023 Stewart’s Shops is investing more than $50 million in construction of nine brand new shops and eight rebuilt shops, which will replace older, smaller locations.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The city will host a Cannabis Policy Workshop at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 27.  

“The city has to define certain zones for businesses that produce and distribute for use cannabis,” city Mayor Ron Kim said on April 18.  

The gathering will be a full council meeting, he added.  

“We want to use this workshop to explain where those districts are and also explain the next steps for those who may be interested in establishing a cannabis business in the area.” 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Salvation Army of Saratoga Springs currently has an Anti-Human Trafficking Program: Fight for Freedom. This program is funded by a grant through OVS. Currently, The Salvation Army is servicing all victims of human trafficking in the Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties. This is the 4th year of the program which is funded through September of 2025. 

To date, The Salvation Army’s Fight for Freedom program has been able to help 64 victims with case management, access to food, clothing and hygiene products, financial assistance, crisis intervention, safety planning, family support, and referrals to any other identified services of need. Of the 64 clients served, 57 were minors. In the last year, Fight for Freedom has been able to help relocate a client out of state and help with their college enrollment. The program was also able to help another client get her high school education online and assist with a laptop purchase. In the last month, the program has been able to support both a mother and daughter in getting their national certifications (a victim service that allows for a lifetime of free medical services and therapeutic services). Much like the national averages, the majority of who Fight for Freedom is serving identify as female (72% female, 28% male). 

The Salvation Army hopes to continue to grow the Fight for Freedom program through partnerships with both CAPTAIN CHS and WAIT House. If you would like to support a program like this, please call 518-584-1640 extension 1 or email Lt. Mike at Michael.dow@use.salvationarmy.org for more information.

SCHUYLERVILLE — A 20-year-old Schuylerville woman was shot and killed by a homeowner in Washington County after the vehicle in which she was a passenger mistakenly pulled into the homeowner’s driveway, according to police. The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday in the town of Hebron. 

Kaylin A. Gillis, age 20 of Schuylerville, was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was a passenger in a car with three of her friends. The four had been searching for their friend’s home and mistakenly pulled into the wrong driveway. 

“It’s a very rural area with dirt roads. It’s easy to get lost,” Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said at a press conference staged on April 17.

“They had been looking for their friend’s house, got mistaken and drove up this driveway,” the sheriff said. “While they were leaving the residence, once they had determined they were at the wrong house, the subject came out on his porch, for whatever reason, and fired two shots – one of which struck the vehicle that Kaylin was in… there was clearly no threat from anyone in the vehicle.” 

The homeowner, 65-year-old Kevin D. Monahan of Hebron, was charged with murder in the second-degree. Monahan was uncooperative with the subsequent investigation, authorities said. He was eventually taken into custody with the assistance of the New York State Police Special Operation Response Team.

“From all indications, she was an innocent young girl out with friends looking for another friend’s house. I know for a fact that she comes from a very good family. I know them personally. She was a young girl that was taken way too young,” Sheriff Murphy said.  

Gillis attended Schuylerville Elementary School in kindergarten and first grade and returned to the district in high school for grades 10-12. 

She was a member of the competitive cheerleading team for two seasons, a talented artist, and had hopes and dreams of becoming a veterinarian or marine biologist.  

 “Kaylin has two younger siblings in the district, who we will surround with our love and support in the coming days, weeks, and months,” according to a statement released by the Schuylerville Central School District. “Our school counselors are also available for our students and staff for support and grief counseling.”

The city of Saratoga Springs this week began their council meeting with a moment of silence to honor of Gillis.   

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with funeral expenses at: www.gofundme.com/f/kaylin-gillis

SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Saturday, April 29, Sustainable Saratoga’s Urban Forestry Project will hold its 12th TREE TOGA tree planting event.

“This year’s Tree Toga is going to be a huge success, with 38 trees planted,” said Kelsey Trudell, Executive Director of Sustainable Saratoga, in a statement. “We’re still looking for volunteers to plant large-growing, native shade trees at locations throughout the city. Join us on April 29 to help us leave a green legacy for future generations in Saratoga Springs.”

Volunteer Tree Planters will check in at Pitney Meadows Community Farm at 9:30 a.m. on April 29 and get a lesson in tree planting before heading off in small teams to their assigned planting locations across the city. Once the trees are in the ground, the Tree Host homeowners and other volunteers provide the care that is critical to tree survival and the success of Sustainable Saratoga’s mission to preserve and expand Saratoga’s urban forest. 

To get involved in the family-friendly community event, sign up at sustainablesaratoga.org/tree-toga/