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Kim to Takeover as Interim Leader of Saratoga Springs Democrats

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

Former Mayor Ron Kim will lead the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee as interim chairman (Photo: Saratoga Springs Democrats Facebook page.)

The Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee has announced that former mayor Ron Kim will take over as interim chairman of the committee. 

Kim was elected to the interim position following the resignation of chairman Ottis Maxwell during the Feb 21 meeting, according to a press release issued by the Saratoga Springs Democratic Committee. 

Kim previously served as Mayor from 2022- 2023 before being defeated by current Mayor John Safford in 2023. Prior to that, he served as Commissioner of Public Safety from 2005-2009. 

“Our local Democrats have spoken, and we need to prove that we hear them,”  Kim said in the release. “A local committee’s role has always been about building power and resources to help our candidates succeed, and moving forward, the SSDC is doubling down on this critical mission. While I may be a familiar face around city politics, I’m doggedly committed to recruiting and empowering new voices with the energy and expertise that can lead our candidates to victory, while keeping voters engaged and informed.” 

In the release, the Committee also announced that former Commissioner of Finance and current County Supervisor Minita Sanghvi and Former Accounts Commissioner Dillon Moran had both resigned their positions on the executive committee — among other resignations. 

The resignations come after the committee suffered major setbacks in the 2025 elections. While Democrats defeated Republicans Chuck Marshall for control of the Department of Public Works and George Ehinger for supervisor, they lost control of the Finance and Accounts Department while failing to unseat Safford for the Mayor’s seat. 

The press release addressed these losses and said they conducted surveys into what Democratic voters wanted to see from the party moving forward. According to the Committee, voters wanted to see new leadership and commitment to winning state races. 

As for Kim, he will serve in an interim capacity until a new Chairperson can be elected sometime later this year. 

Hadley Man in Critical Condition after Snowmobile Crash

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

A Hadley man was rushed to the hospital on March 2 after an unwitnessed snowmobile crash on Sacandaga Lake in the Town of Day. 

Ryan Looman, 67, of Hadley was airlifted to Albany Medical Center after his snowmobile crashed while he rode on Lake Sacandaga, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. 

A preliminary investigation by the Sheriff’s Office found that Looman was about 1,000 yards offshore when he crashed. While the crash wasn’t witnessed, another rider who had been riding behind him discovered the crash. 

Looman was transported to Albany Medical Center in serious condition with life-threatening injuries. The crash is still under investigation. 

Fraudulent EZPass Activity Investigation Leads to Felony Arrest

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

On February 26, 2026, State Police of Clifton Park, with the assistance of the Schenectady Police Department, arrested Mazin S. Kakoum, 27, of Clifton Park, NY, for three counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd, a class “D” felony.

On February 25, 2026, State Police received a complaint from a Rensselaer County resident reporting fraudulent activity on their EZPass account. The investigation led to the discovery of a vehicle on River Crest Drive in Clifton Park that displayed a forged New York State license plate. The forged plate matched the victim’s legitimate registration. Kakoum allegedly owned and operated multiple vehicles while displaying the forged plate he reportedly purchased online, resulting in misallocated tolls on the victims’ EZPass account. In addition, two more fraudulent plates in his possession were located and seized.

Kakoum was arrested at his home and transported to SP Clifton Park for processing. He was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Clifton Park Town Court on March 18, 2026, and released. 

State Police arrest Moreau Man Following Arson Investigation

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

On February 23, 2026, State Police of Wilton arrested Brian A. Lemery, 69, of Moreau, NY, for:

o Arson, 3rd, a class “C” felony

o Burglary 3rd, a class “D” felony

o Criminal Mischief 2nd, a class “D” felony

On December 3, 2024, troopers responded to the report of a garage fire on Jackson Road in Moreau. The investigation determined that Lemery allegedly entered the garage without permission and intentionally started the fire that eventually caused more than $1,500 worth of damage to the structure.

Lemery was arrested at his home and transported to SP Wilton for processing. He was arraigned at the Saratoga County Court, where he was released under the supervision of the Saratoga County Probation Department.

Congregation Shaara Tfille/Jewish Community Center Announces Retirement of Office Manager

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Congregation Shaara Tfille /The Jewish Community Center of Saratoga Springs announces the retirement of Carole Leakakos, marking the conclusion of 30 years of devoted service to the congregation and the Saratoga Springs community.

Since joining the synagogue three decades ago, Carole has been a constant and welcoming presence at the heart of synagogue life. As Office Manager, she served as the primary point of contact for congregants, clergy, the Board of Directors, and the broader Saratoga Springs community. Her professionalism, leadership, and genuine warmth made her an indispensable member of the Congregation Shaara Tfille family.

The congregation expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Carole for her many years of dedication and extends its warmest wishes for health, happiness, and fulfillment in her well-deserved retirement.

Deputies injured in Ramming Incident

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

A Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office vehicle was struck by James McMahon after he fled from officers attempting to pull him over ( Courtesy of Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office)

The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office has arrested man who they allege rammed into them while they attempted to pull him over. 

James McMahon, 42, of Milton, has been charged with felony 2nd degree criminal mischief, 2nd degree assault, and  1st degree reckless endangerment. He was also charged with 3 misdemeanor charges. The incident occurred on Feb. 19, 2026. 

According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to pull McMahon on Route 9 in the Town of Corinth when he fled. He then struck the back of the of a Sheriff’s patrol car with his 2024 Dodge Ram, damaging the patrol car and forcing it off the road. 

McMahon continued to evade officers and eventually pulled over on Spier Falls Road in Moreau. McMahon then exited his and ran at law enforcement while attempting to punch them. This resulted in two deputies receiving facial lacerations, which were treated on scene by Moreau EMS. 

McMahon was arraigned in Corinth Town Court and released on bond. 

Assemblywoman Walsh Calls for Energy Affordability and Grid Stability at Capitol Press Conference

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Assembly and Senate Republicans in the Senate Parlor at a press conference addressing recent NYSERDA memo indicating skyrocketing energy costs ( Courtesy of Mary Beth Walsh)

Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C–Ballston) stood alongside fellow lawmakers from the Senate and Assembly Minorities at the state Capitol today to address the growing energy affordability crisis affecting families and businesses across New York caused by the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

Representing Saratoga, Schenectady and Fulton counties, Walsh said residents throughout the Capital Region are feeling the strain of rapidly rising electricity and heating costs.

“Families in my district are seeing dramatic increases in their monthly utility bills, and they deserve answers,” Walsh said. “When residential electricity prices have risen 47.1% since 2019 and we continue to hear warnings about grid reliability, it’s clear we must reassess our current path.”

Walsh also pointed to a recent internal memo from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) outlining potential cost increases associated with the state’s climate mandates. According to the memo, compliance with the CLCPA could significantly raise fuel costs in the coming years, including projected increases of more than $2.23 per gallon for gasoline, $2.41 per gallon for diesel, and $16.96 per MMBtu for natural gas by 2031.

At the same time, The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has raised concerns about grid reliability in the near future, underscoring the need for a balanced and responsible energy strategy.

At the press conference, Walsh joined her colleagues in outlining proposals aimed at providing immediate financial relief while strengthening the long-term reliability of New York’s energy system. These proposals include:

• Income-based rebate checks of up to $400 for utility ratepayers

• Returning surplus clean energy funds from NYSERDA’s Climate Investment Account directly to ratepayers as utility bill credits

• Halting the natural gas ban and zero-emission school bus mandate

• Reinvestment in natural gas plants that were forced into retirement under current policies.

• Expansion of the POWER UP grant program to incentivize the quick build-out of reliable energy

“I speak with members from across the state who are reporting the same thing: energy costs are unsustainable for working families, seniors on fixed incomes and small businesses,” Walsh said. “We can pursue environmental progress, but it must be done responsibly and transparently, with affordability and reliability at the forefront.”

Walsh emphasized that New York must adopt a practical, all-of-the-above approach that protects ratepayers, strengthens grid capacity and ensures stability for communities statewide instead of passing crazy mandates such as the gas stove ban and repealing the 100-foot rule.

“Our goal should be clear,” Walsh concluded. “Reliable power, reasonable costs and policies grounded in reality, not mandates that outpace our infrastructure or our families’ ability to pay.”

Greenfield Man Arrested on Weapons Charges after Harassment Complaint

Written by Aidan Cahill on . Posted in News.

A Greenfield man has been arrested on several weapons and other charges after he sent threatening text messages to another person. 

Gerald Ovitt, 54, was arrested on March 2, 2026, after he allegedly sent a threatening text message to someone he knew, and resisted arrest when confronted by Saratoga Sheriff’s Deputies. 

According to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, Ovitt allegedly threatened to kill the victim and sent them a photo of a rifle. When Deputies went to arrest Ovitt, he resisted arrest. 

After his arrest, a search of Ovitt’s residence found the rifle he allegedly sent a photo of and two large-capacity magazines. The investigation by the Sheriff’s Office revealed that Ovitt was legally not allowed to possess weapons due to a prior court order.

Ovitt was charged with felony 2nd degree possession of a weapon, four counts of felony 3rd degree criminal possession of a weapon, misdemeanor 2nd degree aggravated harassment, misdemeanor 2nd degree obstructing governmental administration, misdemeanor 2nd degree resisting arrest and misdemeanor resisting arrest. 

Ovitt was arraigned in Greenfield Town Court and remanded into the custody of the Saratoga County Jail pending further proceedings. 

Saratoga Jewish Community Arts Announces Panel Discussion of the film ‘The Windermere Children’

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in News.

Saratoga Jewish Community Arts, with a generous grant from the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York and the sponsorship of Temple Sinai of Saratoga Springs, presents a panel discussion of the PBS drama, The Windermere Children. The program is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 at 7 pm on Zoom.

Several books and films have chronicled the 10,000 children rescued out of Europe during World War II on what became known as Kindertransport, the trains that carried the children to safety in Great Britain. 

Lesser known is the smaller, post-war British mission to rescue Jewish orphans who survived the concentration camps and give them a chance to reclaim their lives.

This is the saga told in the drama, The Windermere Children. Located in the Lake District of England, Windermere hosted the refugee children for four months in 1945. They received physical care, emotional support and education from sports coaches, social workers, rabbis and others working together to deal with the children’s traumatized psyches. 

The challenge for screenwriter Simon Block was to strike a balance between history and drama, to accurately represent on screen the children’s collective and the individual experiences. In the camps, they had learned how to survive, but those behaviors didn’t translate well into a civil society where rules existed. The children had to learn a whole new way of life.

Windermere was an extraordinary place, though. During the day, the children could run free, join countless activities, and be unafraid. But nights were different. Many succumbed to horrible nightmares that persisted in some cases throughout their lives.

A number of the survivors whose stories are portrayed appear at the end of the film. They are now the aged orphans who ultimately settled in England, Israel and the U.S. They display the remarkable human capacity for resilience that can lead to productive and even eminent lives. 

In a reunion in Prague a few years ago, hundreds came, generations of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of the original survivors.

“What is message we take from this story?” asks Phyllis Wang, Coordinator of SJCA. “How about the message of welcoming refugees? How about empathy, compassion and understanding? This is in stark contrast to what is happening in this country and all over the world today, where immigrants are greeted with negativity, fear, self-importance, and religious and racial bias. Why is it so hard to accept that so many immigrants have given so much back to the country that took them in?”

Pre-registration is required. To register, enter the URL in your browser: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/kVG1OUi/WindemereChildren

Saratoga County DPW To Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Roundabout at Route 50/Northline Road Intersection in Milton

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

A public hearing has been set for a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Route 50 and Northline Road in Milton. ( Photo Courtesy of Jonathan Norcross)

Saratoga County Department of Public Works (DPW) and CHA Consulting, Inc. (CHA), in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 6PM at the Saratoga County Fire Training Center, 6010 County Farm Rd, Ballston Spa, NY 12020.

The purpose of this meeting is to provide information about the NYS Route 50 (Doubleday Avenue) at Northline Road (County Route 45) Intersection Improvement Project in the Town of Milton. 

Individuals in attendance will be given the opportunity to provide oral and/or written comments about the project. Representatives of CHA will be available to discuss the project one-on-one. Additionally, details will be provided to show proposed highway right-of-way modifications involving property acquisitions, per the Eminent Domain Procedure Law.

The goals of this project are to enhance traffic flow, improve the safety of the intersection, and to upgrade pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Construction is scheduled for completion in 2027. This project is 80% federal and 20% county funded. 

Members of the public who are unable to attend the meeting may submit comments no later than March 30, 2026, to Eric Williams, P.E., Senior Project Manager, CHA Consulting, Inc., 3 Winners Circle, Suite 100, Albany, NY 12205.