On July 10, 2025, State Police of Saratoga arrested Wei H. Li, 54, of Brooklyn, NY on a warrant for Grand Larceny in the third degree and Scheme to Defraud in the first degree.

On November 5, 2024, at about 7:00 p.m. Troopers received a complaint from an elderly Saratoga County resident who reported being the victim of a scam. The investigation determined the victim was contacted online by a pop-up advising them their computer was compromised. The individual called the number provided in the pop-up and the answering party falsely identified themselves as a representative of Microsoft. The victim was then instructed to transfer funds to a bank account for “safekeeping” while the online threat was “resolved”. They followed the instructions and transferred more than $30,000 into an account allegedly belonging to Li. An arrest warrant was issued by the Malta Town Court on March 12, 2025, for Li as a result of this investigation.

The investigation also discovered an additional victim out of state. Law Enforcement was contacted in Idaho and after contacting the potential victim it was determined they had in fact been the victim of the same scam.  

Li was arrested at his home in Brooklyn, NY, and transported to SP Saratoga for processing. He was then arraigned at the Malta Town Court where he was released on his own recognizance.

Yaddo will host a public tour of its historic Mansion and grounds on Saturday, September 27. Tours will be offered at 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m., each lasting approximately 90 minutes. 

Guests will explore the Mansion’s first and second floors, West House, Greenhouse Studios, and Saratoga Studio. Tours will run rain or shine, covering varied outdoor terrain and indoor spaces, including stairs. 

Tickets range from $75–$85 depending on the time selected. Yaddo merchandise will be available, with a commemorative ornament and book available for pre-order online A private VIP tour and cocktail reception will be held on Friday, September 26 at 5 p.m. Tickets for this exclusive evening are $250.

All proceeds directly support residencies for artists shaping the future of literature, visual art, music, performance, and beyond. Volunteers are welcome to help bring this special event to life.

This year, Yaddo is raffling off an overnight stay in the Mansion. Tickets are $100 and available exclusively at Yaddo Saratoga Springs events: Wine & Roses, The Nature of Art, and the Open House Tour. Three winners will be announced in December 2025.

For Yaddo Open House tickets, merch pre-orders, or to volunteer, visit: yaddo.org/event/yaddo- open-house/.

A Rare Invitation

This fall, you are invited behind-the-scenes at Yaddo on a guided tour of the historic Mansion and grounds. Normally closed to the public, this 400-acre estate—designated a National Historic Landmark for its extraordinary contributions to American arts and culture—has offered artists time, space, and community for more than a century.

The Mansion is the story-filled heart and soul of Yaddo. Built in 1893 by founders Spencer and Katrina Trask, this 29,000-square-foot residence was modeled on a medieval English manor. It features 55 rooms, 550 window sashes, and exquisite Victorian-era craftsmanship. Following a multimillion-dollar restoration in 2019, the Mansion has been renewed for another century of creative life.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and Amplify Horse Racing are partnering to launch The Winner’s Circle Summer Camp, an immersive four-day experience introducing high school students to the thrilling world of thoroughbred racing.

Taking place Tuesday, July 22 through Friday, July 25, in Saratoga Springs, The Winner’s Circle Summer Camp will give participants access to some of the sport’s most iconic locations and career opportunities. The four-day camp combines classroom-style learning at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame with exclusive behind-the-scenes tours at Saratoga Race Course and local industry partners.

From learning how a racetrack operates and exploring veterinary science to visiting the backstretch and building their own model racetrack, students will discover how their personal skills and interests can connect to a wide variety of career paths in the thoroughbred industry.

“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as a regional partner to offer this wonderful program,” said Annise Montplaisir, Executive Director of Amplify Horse Racing. “This camp will be an incredible way for youth to learn about horse racing and experience the magic of Saratoga, including those who may not come from a horse background and want to gain hands-on experience.”

The camp is open to rising 9th through 12th graders. Enrollment is limited to 30 students, with a registration fee of $50. Museum members receive a discounted rate of $40.

Summer brings everyone’s favorite flower: the orange traffic cone. As the city continues to improve roads, here is a run down of streets that will be paved in the coming days and weeks. 

Monday, July 21 

Two streets are set to be milled on July 21. Brackett Lane between Greenfield Avenue and Vermont Street and Vermont Street between Clinton Street and Woodlawn Avenue will both be milled. 

Tuesday, July 22

Care Lane from Church Street through the circle is set to be milled. 

Wednesday, July 23 

Care Lane from Church Street through the circle will be paved. The circle will be paved at four am and reopen at seven. 

Thursday, July 24 

Two streets will be paved on July 24. Brackett Lane between Greenfield Avenue and Vermont Street and Vermont Street between Clinton Street and Woodlawn Avenue will both be paved. 

Work will begin at 6:00 a.m. and should be completed by 4:00 p.m. 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 through traffic until midafternoon.

Porsche fans, families, and auto enthusiasts, mark your calendars. The Saratoga Automobile Museum is cranking up the excitement for its annual Porsche Car Show, proudly presented by Porsche of Clifton Park, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. 

Get ready for a day packed with family fun, sleek design, and pure Porsche passion as hundreds of these legendary cars surround the Museum in the heart of the Saratoga Spa State Park.

This isn’t just a car show. It’s a full Porsche experience. From iconic vintage models to the latest high-performance machines, the event will showcase a stunning lineup that is sure to excite long-time enthusiasts and inspire the next generation of car lovers. Guests can enjoy food and drinks on site, great company, and much more.

“The Porsche community shows up big for this event every year,” said Megan Hennessey, Executive Director of the Saratoga Automobile Museum. “It is such a fun day for everyone, from families to collectors to anyone who loves great cars. We are especially grateful to Porsche of Clifton Park and their GM, Christian Trujillo, for being incredible supporters of the Museum and helping make this such a vibrant, must-see experience.”

There is even more to enjoy. Visitors can explore the Museum’s feature exhibition, Speed. Style, Legacy: The Corvette Story, which highlights six jaw-dropping Corvettes from the General Motors Heritage Collection.

Want to drive your own Porsche? Enter the Museum’s Sweepstakes for a chance to win a brand new 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman S. A small donation to the Museum could put you in the driver’s seat of your dream car. Enter now at www.saratogaautomuseum.org.

Vehicle pre-registration is $15 per car and includes two Museum admissions. Day-of registration is $20 per car. The Porsche Car Show will be held at the Saratoga Automobile Museum, 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY.

For registration and sweepstakes entry, visit www.saratogaautomuseum.org.

The Saratoga County Department of Aging & Youth Services is seeking applications for youth programming services from municipalities and nonprofit, community-based organizations for the program year.  Programs must reach the general youth population with quality recreation, social and/or skill-building programs.

 All 2025-2026 grant applications are due to the Department of Aging & Youth Services on or before July 31, 2025. Entities are advised to read the current local commissioners memorandum (LCM) attached within each funding stream for details on eligibility and requirements.

Four funding streams are available:

• Youth Development Programs (YDP): Grants will be awarded to programs for youth under 21 that provide free, direct services designed to improve youth and community outcomes.

• Youth Sports and Education Funding (YSEF): Grants will be awarded to programs that serve youth ages 6-17 and aim to foster educational connections and achievement; physical health and well-being; mental health and well-being; employment; and/or community cohesion.

• Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA): RHY services are grounded in the Positive Youth Development framework and focus on supporting and developing healthy relationships to enhance youths’ existing strengths and resiliency, while incorporating youth voice and leadership into programming.

• Youth Team Sports (YTS): is grounded in the principles of positive youth development. YTS may be used to fund programming that provides opportunities for youth in under-resourced communities to learn and participate in team sports activities. This may include educational instruction necessary to prepare youth to participate in team sports.

Specific funding eligibility requirements are as follows:

• The program targets youth and families in Saratoga County.

• Your agency is a not-for-profit or a community-based organization with federal identification or charity registration number.

• Municipalities charging a fee for program participation must provide a written policy to accommodate youth who are unable to pay by either offering scholarships, a tiered fee schedule or waiving the fee.

• Insurance requirements will be met per contract.

• The program will operate and expend all funds during the contract period.

• Funded programs must have sufficient overhead to support the reimbursement-claiming process through completion.

• The claim for reimbursement and the annual report are due annually by October 10th.

• Entities are advised to read the current LCM attached within each funding stream for details on eligibility and requirements.

Funding is made available through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Required forms and additional information about funding eligibility requirements and grant eligibility criteria are available on saratogacountyny.gov/youth. For more information, please call (518) 884-4100

This week at the Clifton Park Library.

The following programs will be offered during the week of July 14-20. Details and registration information for each program can be found at www.cphlibrary.org or by calling 518-371-8622.

Summer Story Time—Mondays & Thursdays at 10 am: July 14 & 17

Nurture your child’s love of reading with stories and songs on our Back Lawn. Visit our website and social media for weather-related updates.  

Teen Paint & Sip—Monday, July 14 at 4 pm

Grab a snack, pick up a brush, and let your creativity flow. No skills needed—just good vibes, cool drinks, and colorful masterpieces. For grades 6-12. Registration required.

Language Exchange Café at MochaLisa’s Caffé & Books—Monday, July 14 at 6 pm

Interested in practicing a language? Join other language enthusiasts for an hour of conversation. Pair up with a partner who is proficient in your target language and get practicing.

Read Digital Newspapers for FREE—Tuesday, July 15 at 2 pm

Learn how to use library resources to access free newspaper articles from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Daily Gazette, NY Post, and more! Registration required.

Tuesday Crafternoon: Rainbow Fish Art—Tuesday, July 15 at 2 pm

Join us for a fun afternoon of crafting from a variety of materials! For Gr. K-5, with an adult.

ZOOM: PJ Story Time—Tuesday, July 15 at 7 pm Clifton Park, NY

Get comfy in your favorite PJs, grab a blanket, and tune in for a special story time from home. Registration required.

Therapy Dogs

De-stress while hanging out with a furry friend!

• For Adults: Wednesday, July 16 at 10 am
• For Teens: Thursday, July 17 at 4:30 pm

Wacky Wednesday: Mini Golf—Wednesday, July 16 at 10 am

Get ready to have some wacky outdoor fun at this drop-in program! For preschool-Gr. 5, with an adult.

Teen LEGO Mastery Competition!—Wednesday, July 16 at 2 pm

Are you up for a challenge? Build a set from your favorite action movie and compete to see if you have what it takes to win! All LEGOs will be provided. For grades 6-12. Registration required.

HYBRID: Banned Book Club: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore–Thursday, July 17 at 2 pm

Moore’s newest novel follows the disappearance of a young girl from her wealthy family’s summer camp in the Adirondacks, uncovering dark secrets within the family and the surrounding community as the investigation reveals a similar missing sibling case from years prior. All are welcome, including new participants. Registration required for virtual attendees only.

Art in the Afternoon: Seurat—Thursday, July 17 at 2 pm

We will read about French artist George Seurat and create our own painting using Seurat’s technique of Pointillism. For Gr. 3-5. Registration required.

ZOOM: Virtual Author Talk with Marie Lu—Thursday, July 17 at 4 pm

Explore the intricate world of Legend with Marie Lu as she encourages readers to look beyond the surface and reveal hidden secrets. Explore the depths of deceit, battle for power, and the lengths characters will go to unmask the Truth. Registration required.

Teen Mini Golf—Thursday, July 17 at 7 pm

Grab your friends and show off your putting skills–right on the Library’s Back Lawn! Whether you’re a pro or just here for the laughs, we’ve got obstacles, prizes, and snacks. For grades 6-12.Registration required.

Community Field Trip: Mabee Farm—Friday, July 18 at 11 am

Meet us at Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction for a historic farm tour. Registration required.

Fri-YAY Ice Cream Social—Friday, July 18, 2-3 pm

Stop by the Library for a sweet summer treat! Ice cream and toppings provided courtesy of Stewart’s Shops, while supplies last. For all ages.

Saturday Outdoor Story Time—Saturday, July 19 at 10 am

Join us for stories, songs, and fun! Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

 Monday at 5:22 p.m., the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office received notification from the Schenectady County communications center of a motor vehicle being operated by a minor in Saratoga County without the owner’s consent. The vehicle was reportedly taken in their jurisdiction.

At approximately 5:29 p.m., deputies located the vehicle in the area of Grooms Road in the town of Halfmoon and attempted a vehicle stop. The vehicle fled and was last seen traveling south on U.S. Route 9 at a high rate of speed into the town of Colonie. The Sheriff’s Office notified the Colonie Police Department and deputies terminated their involvement at that time for the safety of the public.

At approximately 7:00 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office was notified that the vehicle was believed to be in the D & R Village mobile home park in the town of Halfmoon. Deputies located the vehicle at that location and attempted to stop it at which time the vehicle fled again traveling eastbound on state Route 146. The vehicle proceeded to crash into a guard rail at the intersection of state Routes 146 and 4/32 causing significant front-end damage. It continued to flee southbound on Routes 4/32 into the village of Waterford nearly striking a flag in a construction zone on Third Street before driving across a resident’s lawn on John Street and into the Hudson River. 

The operator exited the vehicle once it had entered the river and attempted to swim away towards the city of Troy stopping approximately halfway. Deputies swam out to the person and took them into custody shortly thereafter. The operator was charged with reckless endangerment in the 1st degree (class D felony), two counts of unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the 3rd degree (class A misdemeanor), and two counts of reckless driving (unclassified misdemeanor). 

The minor is considered a juvenile delinquent under New York state law and was released on appearance tickets pending further proceedings in the Saratoga County Family Court. There were no injuries reported, and the vehicle was removed from the river by Lussier’s Autobody & Repairs and KJ Sterns Towing.