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Saratoga National Historical Park Kicks off 2026 Special Events Schedule 

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Saratoga National Historical Park kicks off its 2026 schedule of special events in May with the following offerings: 

Saratoga Battlefield Guide Tour 

Saturday, May 2 at 9 a.m. 

Visitor Center 

Join the Official Saratoga Battlefield Guide for a free, one hour tour on a topic of his choice related to the Saratoga Campaign. This week’s focus is the Battle of Freeman’s Farm. Meet at the Visitor Center. Participants will then travel in their own vehicles to the tour location. 

B.A.R.K. Ranger Program Lauch 

Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

1 p.m. Fashion Show 

Schuyler Estate 

Saratoga National Historical Park invites you and your pup(s) for the launch of our new and improved B.A.R.K. Ranger Program at the Schuyler Estate in Schuylerville, NY. You will find restrooms, access to water and pet friendly trails nearby. Learn what it means to be a B.A.R.K Ranger, explore the history of dogs at the Schuyler Estate, visit with park rangers, and get your pup officially certified! 

The event will feature Lucky Puppy Rescue, Out of the Pits, and Saratoga County Animal Shelter sharing their work to help animals in our community and information about their adoptable animals. Friends of Fort Hardy Park and the Friends of Saratoga Battlefield join us to discuss more dog-friendly recreation opportunities in the area. 

The highlight of the day will be the B.A.R.K. Ranger fashion show at 1 p.m. Show off your pet’s style. Bonus points for American Revolution themed outfits! Remember, the best accessories your pup can wear when visiting Saratoga NHP is a six-foot leash with a poop bag dispenser attached.

Saratoga Battlefield Guide Tour 

Saturday, May 16 at 9 a.m. 

Visitor Center 

Join the Official Saratoga Battlefield Guide for a free, one hour tour on a topic of his choice related to the Saratoga Campaign. This week’s focus is the Battle of Bemus Heights. Meet at the Visitor Center. Participants will then travel in their own vehicles to the tour location. 

History Caravan 

Saturday, May 23 at 9:30 am 

Meet in the Visitor Center 

Looking for a more in-depth, hands-on experience during your visit? Join a Park Volunteer for a caravan-style tour of the Battlefield! Tours will last 2.5-3 hours. Meet in the Visitor Center and follow along in your own vehicle for as long as you like. May be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. 

In Memoriam 

Monday, May 25 at 1:00 pm 

Visitor Center 

Park Ranger Eric Schnitzer reveals newly discovered stories of the lives – and deaths – of Americans who perished in the Battles of Saratoga. 

A complete list of events can be found at go.nps.gov/saraevents.

Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office Honored for Excellence in Impaired Driving Enforcement and Victim Advocacy

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office is proud to announce that sev- eral members of its team have been recognized with presti- gious Recognition of Excellence Awards presented by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), STOP-DWI New York, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

Assistant District Attorney Robert Conklin, along with Crime Victim Specialists Mollie Benware, Ashley Kitts, and NicoleLichva,werehonoredfor their outstanding dedication to impaired driving enforcement, prosecution, and victim support services. These awards recognize

law enforcement professionals, prosecutors, and agencies that demonstrate exceptional com- mitment to reducing impaired driving and supporting victims impacted by these crimes.

The honorees were selected for their tireless efforts in pros- ecuting impaired driving cases and for providing compassion- ate, comprehensive assistance to victims navigating the crim- inal justice system. Their work plays a critical role in promot- ing public safety and ensur- ing accountability for those who endanger others through impaired driving.

“I am incredibly proud of the dedicated individuals we have

working in this office,” Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby said “Their commitment to victims and their pursuit of justice is evident in everything they do. They approach each case with professionalism and compassion, to hold offenders accountable while supporting those impacted by these crimes.”

The Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office remains steadfast in its mission to combat impaired driving and to advocate for victims, work- inginpartnershipwithorgani- zations like MADD, STOP-DWI New York, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to make local communities safer.

Code Blue Shelter Gets New Permanent Location in Saratoga Springs

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


Parcel of land at 96-116 Ballston Ave., captured from Finley Street Aug. 21, 2024, with Route 50 visible at left. The existing building in the distance is 96 Ballston Ave. and is included in the county purchase. Photo by Thomas Dimopoulos

The Saratoga County Code Blue Shelter will have a permanent location starting in the winter 2027 after the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors approved a site in Saratoga Springs. 

The new facility will be located at 96 Ballston Ave, directly across the street from Market 32, in the city of Saratoga Springs. It is listed as being a 25,600 square foot facility with a common room, office spaces, commercial kitchen and mess hall. When in operation, the shelter will have 75 beds available with capacity for an additional 43 beds in times of emergency. 

Under the ordinance, Shelters of Saratoga will build and operate the facility. It is expected to be open during the winter months and any time the temperate dips below freezing. 

The shelter was approved during a Saratoga County Board of Supervisors meeting on April 21, 2026. The permanent shelter was described by members of the board as a good first step and that it would avoid the continual need to find locations for the shelter year after year. It also coincides with the end of the lease at the current code blue shelter located at 120 South Broadway.

During the meeting Saratoga Springs Supervisors Minita Sanghvi and Sarah Burger spoke about the impact the code blue shelter would have on the city. Both said they received numerous comments from residents speaking about safety concerns surrounding the shelter. According to the supervisors, numerous residents reported issues with public urination, verbal assaults, physical altercations, indecent exposure and incapacitated individuals in the neighborhood surrounding the current code blue shelter and the proposed site.

This has created concerns over public safety costs for handling the incidents. Sanghvi said that while those who use the services come from across the county, Saratoga Springs has had to bear the cost of providing emergency services to the shelter. 

“While the county dispatch would get the calls, Saratoga Springs police, EMS and fire will be responding to the calls,” Sanghvi said. “This is a significant burden on our city residents that we shouldn’t have to bear alone.” 

Sanghvi said that she hopes that the county can come to an intermunicipal agreement with the city to share resources and costs associated with the shelter moving forward.

Supervisor Burger echoed Sanghvi saying there were 264 emergency calls to the current code blue shelter in 2025 and that the city can’t afford the bill for the county.

Both supervisors emphasized that while this was an important first step, it shouldn’t be the only step. Sanghvi said that homelessness comes in many forms and that a single shelter open in winter cannot be the only solution. 

The discussion around a code blue shelter has been going on for over a decade. In 2013, the death of Saratoga Springs resident Nancy Pitts due to freezing temperatures led the City of Saratoga Springs to first establish a code blue shelter. Later in 2016, a statewide mandate was issued requiring counties to provide a code blue shelter when the temperature dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Saratoga Springs City Council Rundown: UDO, Parking and Charter Changes

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

It was a long night in Saratoga Springs as the City Council held its normally scheduled meeting on the night of April 21.

On the docket were clarifications to parking rules, discussions of charter review, and the beginning of the process to change the cities Unified Development Ordinance. 

From parking to planning and everything in between: here is a rundown of the updates from City Hall.

Possible changes coming to the UDO 

The City of Saratoga Springs is set to begin review of its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) after City Council vote 4-1 to approve a resolution initiating a review of the UDO and publishing a draft of proposed changes. 

The proposed changes mostly focused on the Design Review Board (DBR), one of three building-related boards in the City of Saratoga Springs. Under the proposed changes, the DBR’s role and abilities would be clarified. Among the more controversial changes is a change removing the ability of the DBR to prevent demolition of structures in the Architectural District for preservation purposes unless the structure had been designated a landmark by the City Council.

In addition, citizens would be able to appeal DBR ruling to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford said that the changes to the UDO were due to complaints he heard from citizens in dealing with the Design Review Board. Safford cited one instance where a resident was told by the DBR that if they didn’t want to pay for a slate roof, then they shouldn’t have bought a house in the architectural review district as well as several instances where businesses looking to modify or demolish structures were told no by the DBR. 

He also said that there was pressure to pass an updated UDO as it had become a “political” issue and was upset with the lone Democrat on the City Council, BK Keramati for voting against the ordinance proposing review of the UDO. 

During the meeting, Keramati had pressured the mayor for a list of specific reasons for the changes to the UDO prior to taking action on it. Keramati and Safford were seen talking after the meeting regarding his vote on the matter, with Safford expressing his displeasure with Keramati’s vote. 

The proposed changes were also met with push back by members of the public who protested the changes and cited Saratoga Springs’ historic character as a reason for people to move to and visit the city. Of the 14 speakers who gave public comment, eight spoke out against the changes. In addition, prior to the meeting, the Saratoga Springs Democratic Party had put out a public call for attendance at the meeting and voiced its opposition to the proposed changes.

Parking

Two bills clarifying parking regulations were passed during the meeting. The first of these bills set a two-hour limit on parking along Phila Street between Broadway and Henry Streets. The time limit is in effect between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. 

The second bill also impacted Phila Street, this time adding two commercial loading zones. The first of these zones will go from Broadway to Putnam Street on the North side of the street and be in effect on weekdays from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.  The second loading zone will be    on the South side of Phila between Putnam and Henry Streets. 

Pushback on Charter Proposal 

A proposal to change the language of Saratoga Springs’ charter regarding the number of city supervisors elected to the Board of Supervisors was met with pushback during the meeting. Under the proposed change instead of establishing two supervisors the charter would allow for “One or more Supervisors, as may be established by County Law”

While the proposals were introduced back in December, several speakers took time during public comment to address this proposed change, arguing that it would potentially diminish Saratoga Springs’ representation at the county level if the county chose to reduce the number to one. 

In response to these comments, Mayor Safford asked for comments from the two current Saratoga Springs Supervisors — Sanghvi and Burger. Both asserted that they saw no need to change the charter when it came to the number of supervisors. Instead, Burger advocated for compensation from the city for Supervisors’ attendance at City Council meetings — something done by most other municipalities in the county. 

Chamber Fee Waiver rejected

A proposed fee waiver for the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce was unanimously rejected by City Council. The waiver, which covered public safety related fees associated with several events held by the Chamber had been introduced by Coll after he said he met with the Chamber the week prior. Coll opposed the measure and said that approving the waiver might show favoritism to the group. He wasn’t alone as Finance Commissioner JoAnne Kiernan said the fee waiver as proposed would violate existing Finance Department policies. 

Halfmoon Woman Arrested for Son’s Death

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The Sheriff’s Office responded to an unattended death call involving a 10-year-old male on Jan. 19, 2026, at 9:40 a.m., at 430 Route 146 in the town of Halfmoon. 

Investigation into the matter led to the arrest Wednesday of Rebecca A. Jordan, 43, of Halfmoon, N.Y. Jordan was charged with manslaughter in the 2nd degree (class C felony), tampering with physical evidence (class E felony) and endangering the welfare of a child (class A misdemeanor). 

She is accused of recklessly causing the death of the child – who was her son – by providing him with an excessive amount of diphenhydramine resulting in intoxication by that drug with aspiration of gastric contents and probable restriction of normal ventilation. Jordan was also charged with concealing physical evidence – specifically a bottle of diphenhydramine – from investigators with the intent to prevent it from being used in an official proceeding. 

She was arraigned before the Honorable Ellwood A. Sloat Jr. in the Malta Town Court and remanded to the Saratoga County Jail pending further proceedings in the Halfmoon Town Court. 

“Child death cases are among the most tragic that we handle and I am extremely proud of the true professionals that worked this case,” Sheriff Jeffrey R. Brown said. “We will always be a deafening voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, and I look forward to justice being served for this innocent boy.”

District Attorney Brett Eby Announces Indictment in Animal Abuse Case

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Saratoga County, NY — Saratoga County District Attorney Brett Eby announced today that a Saratoga County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against Paul H. Daby Jr. in connection with an animal abuse investigation. 

The indictment charges the defendant with 13 counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E Felony. 

It is alleged that the defendant, on June 24, 2025, unlawfully concealed 13 deceased canines in garbage bags within his vehicle. 

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Mary T. Northrup. 

The District Attorney’s Office extends its gratitude to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation, including Investigator Kyle Rossi, Investigator Samuel Speziale, Investigator Jillian Knox, Deputy Alexandra Donner, Deputy Connor McCrea, and Deputy Nicole Voegler. 

Additional thanks are extended to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Animal Health Diagnostic Center for its expertise. 

“This office takes allegations of animal abuse extremely seriously,” said District Attorney Brett Eby. “We are committed to holding individuals accountable for acts of cruelty and ensuring that those who cannot speak for themselves are protected under the law.”

County-Wide Short-Term Rental Registry Coming to Saratoga.

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

Planning on renting out your home as an Airbnb or VRBO in Saratoga County coming up? Well, you’ll have to register with the county before you do. 

A new law was passed by the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors on April 21 establishing a new county-wide short-term rental registry. The law was enacted due to a statewide mandate requiring such registries which counties had the option of opting out of. 

Under the law, booking services are required to collect data on all short-term rentals in the county such as dates of stay, number of guests, costs, address, and registration number. Hosts meanwhile are required to comply with state law, self-certify that they complied with state law, and allow the county to inspect units to ensure compliance. It also allows the county to collect occupancy and sales tax on behalf of municipalities.

As for registration itself, all short-term rentals would be required to register online with the Treasurer’s Office prior to listing the rental. The registration would last for two years before renewal. 

While the law allows municipalities with existing short term rental registries like Saratoga Springs to continue to use those registries, it preempts the establishment of registries in new municipalities. 

While counties had the option of opting out of the legislation, Board of Supervisors Chairman Phil Barrett said they went with a countywide approach in order to benefit the municipalities. 

“The county has used economies of scale and shared assets to benefit all the municipalities,” Barrett said. “It saves the county money, and it saves the municipalities money.” 

Saratoga Springs Mayor John Safford also welcomed the move, saying that the counties’ registry will have a huge impact in terms of sales and occupancy tax. 

Paving Notice 4/27/26 – 4/30/26

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Winter is over meaning Saratoga Springs must now contend with its aftermath: potholes. 

This week marks the first effort of the year against this menace as residents trade cold temperatures for minor traffic inconvenience. 

Here is the paving update for the coming week. 

• Monday April 27: Caroline Street between Henry Street and Nelson Ave will be milled. 

• Monday April 27: Court Street between Caroline Street and Talford Place will be milled. 

• Tuesday April 28: Henry Street between Spring Street and Lake Avenue will be milled.

• Tuesday April 28: Hodgeman Street from Lake Avenue to Caroline Street will be milled. 

• Tuesday April 28: the driveway apron of Fire Station 1 on Hodgeman Street will be milled. 

• Wednesday April 29: Caroline Street between Henry Street and Nelson Ave will be paved.

• Wednesday April 29: Court Street between Caroline Street and Talford Place will be paved.

• Thursday April 30: Henry Street between Spring Street and Lake Avenue will be paved. 

• Thursday April 30: Hodgeman Street from Lake Avenue to Caroline Street will be paved. 

• Thursday April 30: the driveway apron of Fire Station 1 on Hodgeman Street will be paved.

There is no parking of cars on the street during these hours, and driveway access/egress will be limited with potentially lengthy delays. On the day of paving, the road will be closed to all thru traffic until midafternoon.

NYS Parks to Conduct Prescribed Burns at Big Bend Preserve

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

A wildland firefighter takes part in a prescribed burn at Big Bend Preserve in 2025. Photo by the NYS Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

MOREAU — New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) is preparing for its second prescribed burn season at Big Bend Preserve, with plans to conduct burns this spring, summer, and fall. 

State Parks treated 112 acres with prescribed fire at Big Bend during the inaugural burn season in 2025 as part of the agency’s stewardship efforts.

 Burns will only be conducted when weather conditions meet strict safety and suitability standards. Factors such as wind speed, humidity, and fuel moisture levels will be carefully assessed before scheduling any burn. Due to these considerations, specific burn dates cannot be provided far in advance.

Each prescribed burn will last approximately one day. The burns will be conducted by State Parks staff in collaboration with partners such as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.

During burn operations, temporary closures of roads, trails, and certain areas within Big Bend Preserve may occur to ensure public safety. Notifications will be posted on the Moreau Lake State Park website, mobile app, and Facebook page approximately 24 hours prior to the burns taking place.

Those who wish to receive advance notifications of upcoming prescribed burns can download the NYS Parks Explorer app and save Moreau Lake State Park for push notifications.

Saratoga 250 Presents The 5TH Annual Turning Point Symposium & Bus Tour

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

The Saratoga County 250th Commission announced tickets are on sale for the 5th Annual Turning Point Symposium. The event is May 2nd from 8:15AM to 3:30PM at the Old Saratoga American Legion Post, 6 Clancy St. in Schuylerville, NY. Additionally, a guided bus tour following the route of a British Raid on Ballston in October 1780 is offered on May 3rd from 10AM to 2PM.

General registration for the symposium is $75 and includes a light breakfast and deli lunch. The guided bus tour is $75 and includes a box lunch. Those interested can register for these events at Saratoga250.com.  

Lauren Roberts, Saratoga County Historian and Chair of the Saratoga County 250th Commission said, “As the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence approaches, we turn our attention to the ideas and actions of those who took part in the creation of this country. Symposiums like these remind us of how much we still have to learn from the people and events that took place two and a half centuries ago, and why their stories still matter today.”

Formerly known as the Women in War Symposium, the event features notable Revolutionary War era historians and authors presenting new scholarship to enhance our understanding of the War for American Independence.  This year, the topics focus on the upstate New York area and the impact felt by both combatants and residents throughout the war. Additionally, the event will include exhibitor displays, books, and cutting-edge augmented reality demonstrations.

Emceed by historian and author Dr. Bruce Venter, the symposium will feature five speakers with several presenters focusing on the varied roles women played in the American Revolution. Turning Point Symposium attendees will hear unfamiliar stories of loyalists and patriots, learn about the challenges (and opportunities) residents faced and discover how they navigated a very personalized and bloody conflict. An optional walking tour led by Town of Saratoga Historian Sean Kelleher explores the Schuyler Legacy concludes the day.

On Sunday May 3rd the weekend continues with the British Raid on Ballston Bus Tour, led by local historian Jim Richmond whose book War on the Middeline describes the settlement of Middeline Road in Ballston in the years leading up to the Revolution. The four-hour tour will include stops along the Sacandaga Reservoir and lunch at the Middle Grove Town Park.