SARATOGA COUNTY — In response to tips and reports of unlawful sales of nicotine and THC vapes to persons under 21 years old, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office conducted an undercover operation Tuesday across the county to check for compliance with New York state laws.
Twelve establishments were visited where attempts to purchase restricted items were made by an undercover operative.
No violations were observed, and no arrests were made, authorities said.
“I am glad to see that the shops we visited are following the rules,” Sheriff Michael Zurlo said in a statement. “We take citizen complaints seriously and will continue to monitor the overall situation.”
SCHUYLERVILLE — The Schuylerville Public Library will offer a Beginning Nature Photography course with instructor Susan Meyer, beginning May 3.
The series features 8 classes, both in person instruction at the library and hands-on photography practice at nearby Hudson Crossing Park. The class will run from May 3 through June 28 on Saturday mornings and culminate in an Art Show on July 19 at the library.
Those age 16 & up may register online (svl.libcal.com) or by phone 518-695-6641. Participants must have their own camera or device, and the focus of the instruction will be on DSLR (digital) cameras, with some information on iPhone cameras provided.
Saratoga Arts made this program possible through the Community Arts Regrant Program, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
BALLSTON SPA — As part of the Village of Ballston Spa Committee on the Arts second annual “Random Acts of Poetry,” an evening “Poetry Performance” will be held 7 p.m. April 26 in the Long Room at the Saratoga County History Center at Brookside Museum, 21 Fairground Ave., Ballston Spa.
Three local published poets – Steven Guilfoyle, Andy Fogel and Carol Graser – will be reading from their works at the event.
The performance is free, but pre-registration is requested at: brooksidemuseum.org.
The event continues the month-long celebration of National Poetry month. Ongoing events are the locally written Haiku on lawn signs around the Village and “Poem in Your Pocket” for free at local businesses and Cinquains written about local participating businesses on display.
Washington, D.C. — Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) on April 10 reintroduced the bipartisan Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Enhancement Act with Democratic Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) to commission a study regarding the benefits of expanding the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include all of Washington and Saratoga Counties.
The legislation would specifically work towards expanding opportunities for both counties to participate in federal grant programs, increase heritage tourism, and support cultural and economic development in the area.
“Upstate New York and the North Country are the cradle of the American Revolution and home to numerous battlefields and historic sites,” Stefanik said in a statement, adding that the Act would bolster efforts to preserve the region’s heritage and ensure crucial pieces of our history are preserved for future generations. Stefanik was recently appointed by Speaker Mike Johnson as Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership for the 119th Congress.
“I urge my colleagues to support this bill as a step to further honor our shared past and spark economic growth and cultural tourism in Upstate New York for generations to come,” Tonko said in a statement.
Tonko and Stefanik each represent portions of Saratoga County.
“Expanding the Heritage Area to include Saratoga and Washington Counties corrects a long-standing oversight and ensures that the full story of the Americas’ turning point is told,” said Sean Kelleher, Historian for the Town of Saratoga. “This study empowers our communities to preserve that legacy while unlocking economic opportunity through heritage tourism. It’s an investment in We the People —and in the stories that define our nation.”
The local Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, and Hudson River Valley Greenway are just a few of the sites that make up New York’s national heritage network and bring countless benefits to its communities.
North Country Wild Care will host a gala in May in Saratoga Springs. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — For 24 years, North Country Wild Care has committed to protecting and revitalizing the wildlife across nine New York counties. From bunnies to hawks, and from tree frogs to deer, this non-profit organization has called on their network of licensed volunteer members to restore these animals to full health so they can successfully return to the wild.
“You have people with all different career experiences from all over the area, but we have this unified passion for helping wildlife,” said North Country Vice president Maureen Tusty.
“I think the majority of people came into volunteering because they had an experience where they found an animal, and they didn’t know how to help, or they didn’t know where to bring it, and they discovered the North Country hotline and then said, oh my, this is an amazing service. How can I help more? And so that’s how a lot of people get involved,” Tusty said. “People are very caring, and when these situations happen, they want to help, and that’s how they get involved with North Country. And that’s why I think our wildlife rehabilitators are committed to doing this, because it’s very hands-on. There’s an immediate need for it.”
Now receiving more than 22,000 calls per year, North Country continues to look for ways to spread knowledge and awareness about how to best protect and rejuvenate the nature that surrounds everyone.
As a way to spread some of that awareness, North Country Wild Care is holding a spring Gala event on Sunday, May 18 at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Springs. This event will give the public an opportunity to join members of North Country to learn more about how to help injured wildlife, or how to get more involved with the program if they are interested, all while enjoying food, live music, and other event activities.
Members of the organization will speak to attendees throughout the event about how to handle an injured or orphaned animal when it’s found, or how to get that animal to North Country as fast as possible. Long-time meteorologist and founder of the group Pet Connection Steve Caporizzo will be the keynote speaker at the spring gala.
North Country members will also be joined by some of the organization’s wildlife ambassadors, animals who were unable to return to full health and return to the wild. Gala participants will learn more about how these animals serve as helpers for the organization, going to enclosures and schools to act as educators for helping nature.
Attendees will be able to enjoy a variety of menu options during the event, which will include vegetarian and vegan choices as well. Live music will also be provided during the meal from electro-acoustic group Tooty and the Mother Plucker, a husband-and-wife duo who are also members of North Country Wild Care.
Following the meal and speeches, there will be a silent auction available to everyone in attendance. All items up for auction, including many that are wildlife themed, are donated to the gala by local businesses, artists, and individuals. One major item will be a pontoon boat ride on Lake George, while others are expected to include wildlife gift baskets, art or craft work, and more. A wine raffle will also be taking place throughout the duration of the auction. All proceeds from both the auction and the raffle go towards supporting the mission of North Country Wild Care.
The Gideon Putnam is located at 24 Gideon Putnam Road. Visit https://ticketstripe.com/NCWC-Gala-2025 to buy tickets or donate to North Country Wild Care. More information about North Country Wild Care can be found at https://northcountrywildcare.org/. If you come across an injured or orphaned wild animal, you can call the emergency hotline number for North Country Wild Care at 518-964-6740.
BALLSTON SPA — A decades-long effort to curtail drinking hours in Saratoga Springs was narrowly rejected by Supervisors at the county table this week. The resolution requested the state Liquor Authority restrict the hours of sale of alcoholic beverages countywide.
The proposal to alter “Last Call’ hours had, in one form or another, been forwarded from the city of Saratoga Springs to the county three previous times during the past 20 or so years. In each case, the measure never secured necessary approval at the county subcommittee level to be brought for a full board discussion.
The April 15 Board of Supervisors meeting marked the first time the resolution came to a full board vote, even as more than one-third of the supervisors were absent from the meeting.
Supervisors, in number, voted 9-6 against the proposal to potentially alter Last Call hours in Saratoga County, with 8 of the 23 supervisors absent. The Board uses a weighted voting system based on population numbers in which county specific supervisors serve. Approximate calculations utilizing that system indicate that the measure failed 83,000 to 75,000, with 77,500 others left absent in the vote.
“The Saratoga Springs City Council has been debating this for almost two decades,” Saratoga Springs city Supervisor Michele Madigan told the Board prior to the vote, citing measures initiated by former commissioners John Franck – in 2010, and Chris Mathiesen – two years later. “I don’t believe were trying to limit businesses, but to ensure and enhance public safety,” she said.
To that point, city Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll and county Sheriff Michael Zurlo had each expressed support for earlier Last Call times at bars.
“We went back four years and when you look at our use-of-force incidents in the nightlife district in Saratoga Springs, 55% of those incidents happened after 2 a.m.,” said Commissioner Coll. “Reducing the hours with earlier closing times has the potential for us to reduce overtime as well as to keep officers more safe.”
The New York State Alcoholic Beverage Control Law prohibits sales of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption between the hours of 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Sunday, and between the hours of 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. on any other day.
The proposed resolution requested the SLA implement changes effective Jan. 1, 2026 across Saratoga County that would set Last Call at 2 a.m. from Nov. 1 to April 30 (with a 4 a.m. exception on New Year’s Eve), and at 3 a.m. from May 1 to Oct. 31. The “Last Call” proposal specified that bars may stay open beyond the stipulated “Last Call” time and continue to serve food and drinks – merely that they may not involve alcohol.
Carving out the time change solely for the city of Saratoga Springs requires state approval and is not believed to be a viable option.
A Public Hearing was held at the county complex in Ballston Spa on April 9 to solicit community input on the proposed changes. Three people spoke in-person and four letters were received. Six of the seven public responses were in favor of the change. All six favoring the change came from Saratoga Springs city residents.
“The city (of Saratoga Springs) is asking for this, so maybe there’s more work to be done to try to show the impact on each town,” city Supervisor Matt Veitch said immediately following the Board vote on April 15.
“We are a Board of Supervisors and we all look at our own towns first. They’re looking out for what happens in their towns, so I don’t hold any ‘no’ votes against those towns. They’re doing what they feel is right by their constituents,” Veitch said. “I’m not sure what the process would be to re-introduce it.”
“I don’t know if we’re going to see earlier bar closings any time soon, but we’re going to discuss it,” Supervisor Madigan added.
How They Voted
There are 23 supervisors on the board representing Saratoga County’s 21 municipalities. Each county is represented by at least one supervisor, with Clifton Park and Saratoga Springs – the two municipalities with the largest populations – each represented by two supervisors.
The board had established a population of 25,000 residents as the threshold for the number of supervisors each county would have to represent them; less than 25,000 residents meant one supervisor, more than 25,000 meant two. When 2022 census reports showed the population in the town of Halfmoon had risen above that 25,000 population threshold – indicating a second supervisor would be required, the board instead voted to approve raising the population threshold to 27,500, essentially maintaining one supervisor for the town.
As such, current Halfmoon Supervisor Kevin Tollisen carries the board’s single most powerful weighted vote, counting as more than 25,600, with the two supervisors in Clifton Park – counting at just over 19,000 each, closest behind.
The results of this week’s vote, calculated using Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Weighted Vote, Local Law No. 1 of 2022 is as follows:
In Favor: Charlton Joe Grasso 4,328; Clifton Park Philip Barrett 19,014.5; Saratoga Ian Murray 5,808; Saratoga Springs Michele Madigan 14,245.5; Saratoga Springs Matthew Veitch 14,245.5; Wilton John Lant 17,361.
Total In Favor: 75,002.5
Against: Corinth Eric Butler 6,500; Day Harry Brennan 819; Edinburg Robert Anderson 1,333; Hadley Arthur Wright 1,976; Halfmoon Kevin Tollisen 25,662; Malta Cynthia Young 17,130; Mechanicville Thomas Richardson 5,163; Moreau Jesse Fish 16,202; Waterford David Ball 8,208.
Total Against: 82,993
Absent: Ballston Eric Connolly 11,831; Clifton Park Angela Thompson 19,014.5; Galway J.D. Arnold 3,525; Greenfield Kevin Veitch 8,004; Milton Scott Ostrander 18,800; Northumberland Willard H. Peck 5,242; Providence Sandra Winney 2,075; Stillwater Edward Kinowski 9,022.
BALLSTON SPA — With the federal requirement of having a REAL ID to board domestic flights set to begin May 7, the Saratoga County DMVs have seen a 35% spike in foot traffic and increasing wait times for customers, according to the agency.
The May 7 deadline set by the federal Department of Homeland Security only relates to when “REAL ID-compliant” identification will be required to board planes flying within the United States and to enter certain federal buildings.
“If you plan to travel domestically by air in June or afterwards, you may want to consider delaying your visit to DMV until 45 to 60 days out to avoid the influx of customers and longer wait times currently being experienced,” Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner said in a statement.
Hayner emphasized that the state-issued Standard Driver’s License and Standard Non-driver ID will remain a valid ID in New York State.
“If you don’t travel by air domestically or enter certain federal buildings where a REAL ID is required, you can continue to use your Standard Driver’s License/Non-driver ID. No need to upgrade,” he said. “You are not required to upgrade to a REAL ID. It is a personal choice.”
A U.S. passport also is a form of REAL ID and is good for domestic and international flights. Other forms of REAL ID that will be accepted to board a plane after May 7 can be found on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website at www.TSA.gov/id.
For those who need to visit the DMV, Hayner advises ensuring documents are ready when arriving for a smooth and efficient transaction.
For more information about the forms of ID available through the DMV and what documents are required for each, go to https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/enhanced-or-real-id.
BALLSTON SPA — A public hearing will take place May 13 regarding a proposed lease agreement with Alexi’s at the Airport Inc. for the exclusive operation as a restaurant space at Saratoga County Airport.
The restaurant would be sited in the Terminal Building, which includes a newly constructed commercial-grade kitchen, bar, dining area, back-of-house storage, and catering area and would add to the operations, concessions, facilities, and services at the airport.
If the agreement is approved, Alexi’s at the Airport Inc. would be the exclusive provider of food services -which includes dining, catering, and takeout to airport clients, customers, and passengers.
Alexi’s at the Airport Inc. has proposed leasing the Restaurant Space for an initial term of one year, with two additional five-year renewal options. The annual lease rate would be $26,040 for the first two years, with a five percent annual increase thereafter.
The Board of Supervisors will stage the Public Hearing at 4:30 p.m. on May 13, in the Meeting Room of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors in Ballston Spa.
CORINTH — The Healthy Corinth Coalition has coordinated a Town and Village clean-up of roadside trash from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 at The Barn, 8 Mallery St.
Volunteers will meet at The Barn at 10 a.m. before heading out to pick up roadside trash.
A scavenger hunt will take place to keep things fun for the whole family – everyone is welcome to participate. Bags, gloves, and coffee will be provided. Information on “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” will be provided at The Barn throughout the event. The event will take place rain or shine.
Healthy Corinth Coalition’s purpose is to address health disparities affecting the Corinth population, to improve the health and well-being of residents, and empower them to be proactive in identifying and removing barriers to good health. For more information, email: healthycorinth@gmail.com.
