The 2026 Town of Saratoga calendars featuring pictures from days gone by in the villages of Schuylerville and Victory Mills and in the surrounding areas are now on sale.  Calendar pages are sprinkled with nearly 150 historical tidbits.  

The photos include the Schuylerville Central football team winning the 2024 NYS class C Football champion title at the Dome in Syracuse, Victory Mills Fire Department truck and firemen, Stewart’s store on Broad Street in Schuylerville about 1950, the old Baptist Church in Schuylerville, the Saratoga Victory Manufacturing Company in Victory Mills, the trolley bridge over Fish Creek, and six other pictures from the Town’s past.

You will learn when Schuylerville athletic teams won championships, when the Schuylerville Central School system was formed, and when the Town of Saratoga was established.  Other tidbits include when the First Baptist Church closed, when coasting on Schuylerville streets was banned, when Burgoyne surrendered the entire British army, and when the Saratoga National Cemetery was dedicated.

Calendars may be purchased for $6.00 in Schuylerville at Byron’s Market, Saratoga Apple, Schuylerville Public Library, Schuylerville Village office and at the Town Clerk’s office or at the Old Saratoga Mercantile and Olde Saratoga Home and Garden on Route 29 and from Pat Peck. The Old Saratoga Historical Association has produced the Town of Saratoga calendar for the past 41 years to help folks understand and appreciate the town’s history. Call Pat Peck, 518-584-4129, to arrange to have calendars mailed and to offer photos for the 2027 calendar.                                                                             

Discover Saratoga, the official Tourism Promotion Agency of Saratoga County, is proud to announce the results of the 2024 tourism impact study conducted by Tourism Economics, which reflects another year of strong growth and economic significance for Saratoga County and the Capital-Saratoga region. 

In 2024, the Capital-Saratoga region generated $2.8 billion in visitor spending, supporting 35,879 local jobs – with Saratoga County alone accounting for over $900 million or 32% of all regional tourism sales.

2024 marked Saratoga County’s first year as the Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA), and in that inaugural year, Discover Saratoga achieved meaningful results through strategic marketing, media engagement, and innovative visitor experiences.

Tourism generated $47 million in local taxes and $51 million in state taxes across the Capital-Saratoga region in 2024. Without these contributions, each household would need to pay an additional $961 annually to maintain the same level of government services.

“Tourism continues to be one of Saratoga County’s strongest economic drivers,” said Darryl Leggieri, president of Discover Saratoga. “As the official Tourism Promotion Agency, Discover Saratoga has worked tirelessly to elevate our destination’s visibility and strengthen our local economy. From innovative media platforms to partnerships that spotlight our community, we’re proud of what we’ve built together – and we’re just getting started.”

In 2024, Discover Saratoga connected with travelers through dynamic storytelling and digital engagement. Highlights include:

• An 88% increase in website visitors that reached over 13 million.

• The hosting of 23 media members, generating 49 total media placements and over 708 million media impressions 

• The launch of Destination Saratoga: All Access podcast, The Inside Track YouTube series, and TrueOmni digital kiosks to enhance visitor experience and community exposure.

Looking ahead, Discover Saratoga remains focused on innovation and collaboration, especially as the region prepares to commemorate America’s Turning Point™ during the Saratoga 250th anniversary in 2027 – a once-in-a-generation opportunity to share Saratoga’s national significance with the world.

Local government sales tax collections totaled $18.2 billion from January to September 2025, an increase of 4.3% ($747 million) compared to the same period last year, according to the quarterly sales tax report released t by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. 

Growth so far this year is higher than the 3.8% average growth rate seen from January to September for the 2010 to 2019 period of recovery and expansion following the Great Recession.

“New York’s local sales tax revenues rose through September compared to last year, but federal policy actions create significant fiscal risk for municipalities amid signs of a slowing economy,” said DiNapoli. “Local officials who rely on these revenues should take advantage of the financial planning tools and guidance my office offers to help them bolster their fiscal resilience.”

Findings from DiNapoli’s report on sales tax collections from January to September 2025 include:

• Each of the 10 regions in the state, including New York City, had a year-over-year increase in collections.

• New York City’s sales tax collections totaled $8.1 billion, an increase of 5.7% ($441 million), year over year, while aggregate collections for the counties and cities in the rest of the state grew by 3% ($258 million).

• Outside of New York City, regional growth ranged from a low of 0.6% (Mohawk Valley) to a high of 4.3% (Western New York).

• Nearly 90% of counties experienced a year-over-year increase in collections, with close to one-third of counties seeing more than 5% growth.

• Hamilton County saw the highest growth at 12%, followed by the counties of Yates and Chenango (each at 10.4%), Delaware (10.3%) and Orleans (9.7%).

• Among the six counties that had decreases in collections, Sullivan had the steepest decline (-4.7%), followed by Schoharie (-4.4%), Livingston (-2.5%) and St. Lawrence (-2.1%)

• Over half of cities outside of New York City that impose their own sales tax experienced growth in collections. Norwich had the largest increase at 17.2%, followed by Salamanca (8.7%). Of the remaining eight cities that experienced decreases in collections, Utica had the steepest decline (-8.9%), followed by Gloversville (-7.2%) and Oneida (-5.3%).

A few of the more notable factors that can help explain local sales tax growth or decline are changes in the rate of inflation, personal consumption and employment and wages. Due to the federal government shutdown, however, national personal consumption data and federal-state cooperative labor market data for the month of September were not released in time to be included in this report.

A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says that a plane lost power before crashing into a residential area in the Town of Milton. 

The report was issued Nov. 8 and reveals several details about the aircraft history, prior maintenance, flight plan and crash. It doesn’t list the cause of the accident or potential impact of wind that was present in the area. 

The crash killed pilot Frederick Baber and seriously injured Alexander Hoff, a flight instructor from New Hampshire. At the time of the accident, they were flying to Punta Gorda Florida, where Baber lived. 

Hoff told the NTSB that the plane only made it to 200 feet above ground before rapidly losing power. After losing power, Hoff took control of the aircraft from Baber and tried to return to the airport. While making the turn, he realized he was too low and made a left turn to avoid a house before crashing into a tree, according to the NTSB report. 

This wasn’t the first time the plane had lost power. Hoff told investigators that a month prior to the accident, Baber was flying the plane on a test flight when the engine lost power, but he was successfully able to recover and land back at the airport. According to Hoff, the fuel had been contaminated with algae and debris. It was later repaired by a local mechanic. 

The NTSB said that six gallons of fuel was recovered from the right wing fuel tank with no water or debris in the tank but the left tank was destroyed by a post impact fire. No blockages or debris were found in the fuel or exhaust systems. 

The same fire consumed portions of the engine, instrument panel and cockpit. According to the NTSB, no useful information could be obtained from the remaining instruments. 

Baber and Hoff met the night before the flight, according to the report. Baber was required by insurance to have flight instructor with him on the flight to Florida due to inexperience the make and model of aircraft.  Prior to the flight, both performed a pre-flight inspection and sampled the fuel multiple times with no issues found. 

As for the model of aircraft, the Mooney M20E, a review of NTSB data found that the plane has been involved in 528 accidents since it entered service in 1964, of those 118 have been fatal. These accidents have resulted in 245 deaths, 72 serious injuries and 126 minor injuries. In 1966, the NTSB released a recommendation regarding the landing gear of the airframe which the manufacturer accepted. 

The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center is excited to announce the launch of their annual Mitten Tree Community Giveback Program. Now through Friday, January 9, members of the local community are invited to contribute warm winter wear to the Visitor Center Mitten Tree located at 297 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. All donations will benefit the following organizations: CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Franklin Community Center, and Shelters of Saratoga.

“Your thoughtful donations make a lasting impact in our community, especially during difficult times,” said Karen Verrigni, Director of the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center. “Through generous donations this annual tradition provides hundreds of pieces of warm winter wear to those in need during the cold winter months. The kindness and generosity of our region is heartwarming!”

Instead of ornaments or lights, the tree is decorated with warm winter items such as hats, socks, scarves, gloves, and of course, mittens. If you’d like to donate, the Visitor Center asks that you hang new or handmade items upon the tree. 

The Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During the Thanksgiving holiday, the Visitor Center will be open Wednesday, November 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 1 :00 pm. The Visitor Center will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, reopening Saturday, November 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm. 

During the Christmas and New Year’s holiday, the Visitor Center will observe the following hours of operation: Open Tuesday, December 23 and Saturday, December 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed December 24, 25, and 26. Open Tuesday, December 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed December 31, January 1 & 2, 2026.  Starting Saturday, January 3 through March 31, 2026, the Visitor Center will follow winter hours, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday.

The United States Mint (Mint) hosted a ceremonial strike event Nov. 12 at its Philadelphia facility where Treasurer of the United States Brandon Beach struck the final, circulating one-cent coin (penny). The event marks the official end of the penny’s 232-year production run as a circulating coin.

“Today the Mint celebrates 232 years of penny manufacturing,” said Kristie McNally, Acting Mint Director. “While general production concludes today, the penny’s legacy lives on. As its usage in commerce continues to evolve, its significance in America’s story will endure.”  

The penny, first authorized by the Coinage Act of 1792, has long played a role in daily American life—from the earliest days of the U.S. economy to the present. However, economic and production factors, combined with evolving consumer behavior, have made its continued production unsustainable. Over the past decade, the cost of producing each penny has risen from 1.42 cents to 3.69 cents per penny.

While circulating production has ceased, the penny remains legal tender. There are an estimated 300 billion pennies in circulation—far exceeding the amount needed for commerce. Retailers and other businesses can continue to price goods and services in one-cent increments. 

The Mint will continue to produce numismatic versions of the penny in limited quantities for historical and collector purposes.

The Village of Ballston Spa invites all residents, business owners, and stakeholders to participate in a public workshop on Thursday, November 20 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at 50 West High Street in Ballston Spa as part of the ongoing Revitalize Ballston Spa planning initiative. The workshop will be a chance for the public to review and provide feedback on the plan’s draft recommendations.

 During the November 20 workshop, there will be:

• Brief presentation – Hear from the project team about progress on the Revitalize Ballston Spa plan to-date and learn more about the process and timeline;

• Open House and Interactive Activities – Review and provide feedback on draft recommendations, ask questions, and connect with fellow community members.

 Pizza will be provided and activities will be available for children. No prior registration is required to participate.

 The Revitalize Ballston Spa plan is a comprehensive, community-driven effort designed to attract investment and funding opportunities by establishing a clear and actionable vision for the Village’s future. For more information, visit revitalizebspa.com.

Two military-affiliated SUNY Empire students, Roy Belvett and Matthew Newsome ‘23, received scholarships from the Veterans Business Council (VBC) this past week. The scholarships support veterans or service members (active duty, national guard, or reserves) who live in, attend college in, or work in Saratoga County, NY. 

Belvett, a staff sergeant who currently serves in the New York Air National Guard, works as a fleet management analyst and material control section lead at Stratton Air National Guard Base. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Professional Studies in business, management, and economics with a concentration in information systems. 

Newsome, who serves as a section commander at the 83d Network Operations Squadron in Virginia, is pursuing a Master of Public Administration. Newsome graduated with a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Empire in 2023.  

“It was an honor to celebrate Roy and Matthew as two of the Veterans Business Council scholarship recipients at their annual breakfast this year,” said Director of Veteran and Military Education Desiree Drindak. “The VBC is an amazing partner that continues to empower and support veterans in our community.”