The Saratoga County Sheriffs Office today announced the implementation of text-to-911, a vital emergency communication service that allows residents to text message 911 dispatchers when calling is not possible. 

Text-to-911 provides deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech-impaired individuals direct access to 911 and can be beneficial when it is unsafe for the caller to speak with telecommunicators. The technology also provides automatic translation for more than 200 languages, allowing both the caller and the telecommunicator to communicate in their primary language. 

This new service will improve access to emergency services in Saratoga County and improve response times for those with hearing or speech impairments and non-English-speaking callers.

Officials stress that in an emergency, community members should continue to dial 911 as their first option, following the national guidance: “call if you can, text if you can’t.”

“The ability to text 911 in an emergency when someone may be unable to make a phone call can potentially save many lives and is particularly beneficial for those who are hard of hearing, deaf, or speech impaired,” said Saratoga County Undersheriff Jeffrey Brown. “Not only does implementing this new technology improve service for people with disabilities, but it also helps ensure Saratoga County remains at the forefront of Next Generation 911 technology, as New York State implements the digital system statewide.”

“With the addition of text-to-911 functionality, we are ensuring that every member of our community can access emergency services whenever they need them,” Steven Gordon, Director of Emergency Communications, said. “This technology provides our telecommunicators with an additional tool, helping to ensure they receive critical information when someone cannot make a voice call. The platform allows 911 to send a secure link for callers to share video and photos, providing 911 and first responders with enhanced situational awareness and more accurate information.”

Text-to-911 in Saratoga County is being implemented in collaboration with Disability Rights New York and powered by Prepared, an emergency response platform.

The technology is expected to be fully operational in approximately 90 days, and notifications will be provided to the public as various cell phone providers complete the process.

The question of where Upstate New York begins just got a little harder as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) extends to Albany. 

The extension of the MTA’s Metro North Line comes after three daily trips on the Empire Service were cut due to track repairs. In addition to the MTA extension, Amtrak is bringing back one of the round trips cut and capping costs to riders. 

The new changes were announced Oct. 20 by New York State, Amtrak and the MTA. Starting Dec. 1, 2025, Amtrak trains 235 and 238 will restart service with the MTA service starting in spring 2026 following non-passenger tests in late 2025.  

The MTA line will run a round-trip service that will connect Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan and Albany-Rensselaer Station in Rensselaer. While the Metro-North Line has never extended to the Capital Region, its predecessor, the New York Central Railroad’s Hudson line, ran service between Grand Central and Albany until 1967.

“Restoring Amtrak service and debuting Metro-North service to Albany is a huge win for riders,” Governor Cathy Hochul said. “While Amtrak’s repairs to the East River Tunnels are necessary, riders from Albany to New York City have had to endure sold out trains and higher fares for the past five months. I’ve been clear from the moment this plan was proposed that New Yorkers deserve better. This new plan will provide more travel options and lower fares for over two million annual riders, saving them time and putting money back in their pockets.”

 The service changes come after Amtrak had to cut service in order to repair the East River Tunnels that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy. The reduced service started in May — leading to increased ticket prices and crowded trains. To combat this, Amtrak is also set to cap economy service between Albany and NYC at $99. 

Beyond just increasing service to NYC, service to Boston will improve as starting Dec. 1 direct rail service between Boston and Albany will be restored after having to run using a connecting bus. 

“New York State residents’ and visitors’ passion and patience are paying off, as additional, affordable, and improved train service between New York City and Albany is on its way,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said. “Thanks to Governor Hochul for her leadership and commitment to New York State, and NYSDOT and MTA for their partnership in helping meet the high demand of train service we have throughout the state.”

As to whether this change will impact the definition of where Upstate New York begins, the Governor’s Office was quick to dispel any discussion of it. 

“UPSTATE BEGINS NORTH OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY AS IT ALWAYS HAS,” the Governor’s Press Office posted on X in response to a post by a reporter discussing the matter. 

The New York State Police have announced a major drug bust in Saratoga Springs. 

Joseph Warren, 43, of Playa Del Carmen, Mexico was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first, second and third degree as well as traffic violations. 

Warren was allegedly stopped on Interstate 87 in Saratoga Springs for traffic violations; during the stop, several vacuum sealed packages were located in the vehicle by a State Police K-9 named “J.”

In total, 18 pounds were found by the Troopers with 16 of them being comprised of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) also known as Molly or Ecstasy. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, MDMA is a synthetic drug similar to methamphetamine that is sometimes considered a psychedelic drug as it can mildly alter perception of time and vision. 

The other two pounds were Fluorofentanyl (fentanyl). Fentanyl is powerful synthetic opioid used in treatment of severe chronic pain — like that which comes from cancer treatments, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is highly dangerous with mere milligrams potentially causing an overdose and is sometimes mixed with other illicit drugs without the user’s knowledge. 

Warren was processed at the State Police Station in Saratoga and arranged at the Saratoga Springs City Court. He is currently being held without bail at the County Correctional Facility. According to State Police, the investigation is ongoing. 

A Frankfort man who stole a purse and ran over 76-year-old woman in Ballston Spa has been captured in Pennsylvania. 

Joseph Hess, 32, of Frankfort NY allegedly stole a pocketbook from the back seat of a car at McDonalds on Church Street in the Town of Ballston. When confronted by the robbery victim — a 76-year-old woman — he ran back to his vehicle and attempted to flee the scene, hitting the woman in the process. 

The incident occurred on Oct. 16 at around 6:45 p.m. The victim was transported to Albany Medical Center and treated for compound leg fractures where she has remained since the incident.  

After a five-day manhunt, Hess was located on the morning of Oct. 21 in a hotel in Tinicum Township, PA — a small town southwest of Philadelphia next to the airport. He was arrested by U.S. Marshalls and is currently being held in Delaware County awaiting extradition back to Saratoga. 

 “I am incredibly proud of our investigators who worked tirelessly to locate Hess,” said Sheriff Michael H. Zurlo. “I am grateful and relieved that he is off the streets and pray that justice will be served for the innocent victim.”

At the time of the incident, Hess’s vehicle had been reported stolen from Colonie. It was subsequently abandoned behind Mabey’s Moving and Storage on Route 67 with Hess seen fleeing into the woods, according to the Sherriff’s Office. 

Hess was also wanted in Frankfurt on weapons charges. 

The incident and subsequent manhunt caused concerns for the nearby Ballston Spa Central School District. Prior to the start of school, the Saratoga County Sherriff’s Office searched school buildings to ensure Hess wasn’t inside, according to Ballston Spa Mayor Frank Rossi. In addition to the search, the school was also placed on a state of “Secure Lockdown.” 

These concerns didn’t extend to that night’s homecoming football game as it went off without a hitch and resulted in Ballston Spa beating Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 20-13. 

As for Hess, he currently faces charges of assault in the 1st degree and robbery in the 1st degree — both of them class B felonies.