NEW YORK — The deadline to enroll in affordable health insurance coverage through the NY State of Health Marketplace is fast approaching as open enrollment ends on January 31. For individuals who would like their coverage to begin on February 1, the deadline to enroll is January 15.

Adirondack Health Institute is offering free enrollment assistance services to individuals, families and small business owners in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties to meet the deadline and strongly encourages the public to make a free appointment today, rather than waiting until the last moment.

“Our Enrollment Specialists provide no-cost, unbiased assistance to help clients determine their best health insurance coverage options,” explained Joyce Porter, AHI’s Enrollment Assistance Services and Education (EASE) Program Manager. “Our team makes the process extremely easy, guiding clients and answering all questions along the way. Those who have never had coverage are especially grateful for our assistance as we make things less confusing and intimidating.”

Individuals may call AHI’s toll-free number, 1-866-872-3740, or visit www.ahihealth.org/ease/appointment-request to schedule a no-cost appointment with an Enrollment Specialist.

SARATOGA COUNTY — The Saratoga County Office for the Aging has been selected as a beneficiary of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program for the month of January. The Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program, which launched in April 2014, is a reusable bag program that facilitates community support with the goal to make a difference in the communities where shoppers live and work. Saratoga County Office for the Aging was selected as the January beneficiary of the program by store leadership at the Hannaford located at 3 Via Rossi Way, Ballston Spa NY. Saratoga County Office for the Aging will receive a $1 donation every time the $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag is purchased at this location during January. For more information on the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program, visit hannaford.bags4mycause.com

For additional information, please call The Office for the Aging, 518-884-4996.

SARATOGA COUNTY — The source of last Sunday night’s “loud explosion that shook homes and lit the sky green” was likely caused by a meteor entering and burning up in the atmosphere, Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo said Thursday.  

Statement from Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo:

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office has concluded our investigation into the loud explosion and green flash which occurred in the skies over Saratoga County on Sunday evening.  Although we received over 30 reports of this event on Sunday evening, our social media post of this event has been viewed over 250,000 times and generated over 1,200 comments.  Based on initial reports and the comments posted there are reports of this event from Broadalbin South to Charlton and East to Ballston Spa but no witnesses to the cause of the event or location of the source. 

After discussions with all of our law enforcement partners, government agencies including the FAA, FBI, ATF, National Weather Service and NASA as well as discussions with scientists and scholars it is our determination that the likely cause of the event was a meteor entering and burning up in the atmosphere.