The Saratoga Springs Department of Public Safety has announced a Parking Violation Late Fee Amnesty Program that will run from April 13, 2026, through April 25, 2026.
During this period, individuals with outstanding parking tickets will have the opportunity to resolve their violations and have all associated late fees waived. This program provides a final opportunity for residents and visitors to bring their accounts into compliance without incurring additional penalties.
To better serve the public, the Parking Violations Office will offer extended hours on the
following dates:
• Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Inquiries can be made by contacting the Parking Violations Office at 518-587-3550 ext. 2513.
City officials emphasize that this amnesty program is the last opportunity to resolve outstanding parking violations before further enforcement actions are taken. In the coming months, the City will begin referring unpaid parking violations to a collections agency.
Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this limited-time program.
April 1, 2026. 12:14 a.m.- New York State Police arrested an Albany resident in the Town of Moreau on charges of misdemeanor DWI- first offense and misdemeanor obstructing governmental administration. Released on own recognizance. Arrest resulted from accident on Interstate 87.
April 1, 2026. 10:35 a.m.- New York State Police arrested a Ballston Spa resident in the Town of Milton on charges of felony possessing a sexual performance by a child and felony promoting a sexual performance by a child. Incident first reported Jan. 5, 2026, in the Town of Glenville. Cash bail — $1000.
April 1, 2026. 11:28 a.m.- New York State Police arrested an Albany resident in the Town of Wilton on charges of misdemeanor issuing a bad check with knowledge of insufficient funds. Appearance ticket issued.
April 1, 2026. 4:04 p.m.- New York State Police arrested a Greenfield Center resident in the Town of Greenfield on charges of misdemeanor 3rd degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Appearance ticket issued. Arrest stemmed from two vehicle accident on Middle Grove Road with one injury.
April 1, 2026. 11:19 p.m.- New York State Police arrested a Schenectady resident in the Town Halfmoon on charges of misdemeanor DWI- first offense and 3rd degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
April 2, 2026. 2:31 p.m.- New York State Police arrested an Albany resident in the Town of Wilton on charges of misdemeanor 3rd degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Appearance ticket issued.
April 2, 2026. 4:19 p.m.- New York State Police arrested a South Glens Falls resident in the Town of Moreau on charges of misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Appearance ticket issued.
April 3, 2026. 2:10 a.m.- New York State Police arrested a Rowland Hights, CA resident in the Town of Halfmoon on charges of misdemeanor DWI- first offense and operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or higher- first offense. Appearance ticket issued.
April 3, 2026. 2:45 a.m.- New York State Police arrested a Saratoga Springs resident on charges of 2nd degree misdemeanor criminal contempt: disobey court. Appearance ticket issued. Original incident occurred on March 31 in the Town of Halfmoon.
April 3, 2026. 11:57 p.m.- New York State Police arrested a Selkirk resident in the Town of Clifton Park on charges of misdemeanor DWI- first offense and operating a motor vehicle with .08 or higher—first offense. Appearance ticket issued.
April 4, 2026. 2:31 p.m.- New York State Police arrested a Corinth resident in the Town of Corinth on charges of misdemeanor 3rd degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Appearance ticket issued.
April 5, 2026. 12:55 a.m.- New York State Police arrested a Corinth resident in the Village of Corinth on charges of misdemeanor DWI- first offense and misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of .08 or higher- first offense. Appearance ticket issued. Arrest occurred after a single vehicle accident on County Route 10 in Corinth.
April 6, 2026. 2:44 p.m.- New York State Police arrested a Montreal, Quebec, Canada resident on charges of misdemeanor 3rd degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Appearance ticket issued.
April 7, 2026. 12:58 a.m.- New York State Police arrested a Troy resident in the Village of Round Lake on charges of misdemeanor 2nd degree reckless endangerment and misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs- first offense.
April 7, 2026. 3:48 p.m.- New York State Police arrested a Mechanicville resident in the Town of Clifton Park on five counts of felony 1st degree possession of a of a forged instrument and attempted felony 3rd degree grand larceny. Released on own recognizance. Original incident occurred in the Town of Clifton Park on March 4.
April 7, 2026. 4:01 p.m.- New York State Police arrested a Halfmoon resident in the City of Saratoga Springs on charges of misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Appearance ticket issued.
April 7, 2026. 6:44 p.m.- New York State Police arrested a Mechanicville Juvenile in the city of Mechanicville on 2 counts of misdemeanor 2nd degree aggravated harassment: communicate threat remotely. Appearance ticket issued.
The Saratoga County Animal Abuse Task Force held a meeting April 1 to discuss new tactics for combating animal abuse (Aidan Cahill)
Sheriff Jeff Brown said one of the factors that led to the formation of the task force was the recent case of animal abuse at A Time Four Paws (Courtesy of the Saratoga County DA’s Office).
After a summer which saw several high-profile animal abuse incidents in Saratoga, the county is taking action.
A new task force has been formed to combat the issue and develop a coordinated response to incidents of abuse in Saratoga County. The task force is comprised of members of the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, animal control officers, Saratoga County Health Department, elected officials and the Saratoga County Animal Shelter.
The task force invited members of the media to attend a meeting on April 1 where they went over recent changes to policies and procedures related to animal abuse.
One of those changes was the introduction of a thermal camera to detect bruising on an animal without having to shave it. District Attorney Brett Eby said the camera was bought with asset forfeiture funds and it was given to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office at the meeting.
The purchase and use of the camera was lauded by Saratoga County Animal Shelter Director Kelly Devall.
“The one problem that we have is a lot of these animals are beaten in some way, shape or form and it’s very hard to detect the bruising,” Devall said. “We did have one case where we were able to shave the dog and see very clear bruising. In other cases, we won’t be that lucky.”
The shelter also recently received a new one-touch x-ray machine to help treat injuries more effectively as well as a new laser therapy machine to assist in treating animals with skin problems.
On the law enforcement side, Deputies are being equipped with devices to measure heat and ammonium content in areas where animals are found to better assess the conditions the animals were living in.
“Instead of walking in and saying the ammonium scent a was really strong, they will have an actual reading of what was going on, or how high the temperature was that the animals were having to exist in with no food and no water and the impact that could be having on those animals as far as their lungs go,” Devall said.
Saratoga County Sheriff Jeff Brown said that deputies trained in animal abuse investigations will have access to these tools to help in their investigations.
The task force came about after an incident at A Time Four Paws in the Town of Halfmoon, where multiple animals were found confined in an areas without proper ventilation or sufficient access to water in July 2025. One of the animals, a French bulldog named Gus tragically died from heatstroke as a result of the incident.
The owner of A Time Fourr Paws, Yvette Giovanni, was recently indicted on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, criminal mischief in the second degree, and 11 counts of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals. The incident, along with another incident in the Town of Argyle led local lawmakers to propose legislation to regulate boarding facilities statewide. The bill is currently in committee.
Brown said that the incident at A Time Four Paws highlighted the need for more coordination among the agencies involved in combating animal abuse.
“One of the reasons that this task force was formed that was such a large case,” Brown said. “There were people coming in from all over on that. We thought the task force would formalize those relationships. So when those big all hands-on-deck cases come in, we built the relationships and we’re more ready to respond to those cases.”
Another major development that came as a result of the animal abuse cases was the introduction of a county-wide animal abuse registry. In September, the Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the law creating the registry with it first being implemented in January of this year.
Under the law, those who have been convicted of animal abuse offenses are required to register as an animal abuser and submit a photo. So far, one person has been added to the registry, Richard Mark Doyle, who pled guilty to animal abuse this year.
Saratoga is one of 20 counties in New York to implement the registry. While independent groups compile this information, there is no state registry statewide.
“There are different independent groups that will take all of the county registries, and they compile them on to one website,” Eby said. “Obviously, it would be better to have a statewide registry, but in Saratoga County, we didn’t want to wait for Albany to get tough on animal abuse and take it as seriously as we are.”
Saratoga National Historical Park has announced it will conduct prescribed burns this coming Spring (Courtesy of NPS).
Saratoga National Historical Park will conduct several prescribed fires in the coming weeks. This year, the National Park Service (NPS) will burn approximately 120 acres of grasses, shrubs and woodlands at the park, focusing on the fields in the vicinity of Tour Stops 4 and 8.
Depending on favorable weather and site conditions, the first burns could take place early to mid-April. Because certain prescription parameters must be met, including wind speed, relative humidity, fuel moisture and drought index, NPS cannot schedule upcoming prescribed fires precisely.
While burns are underway, the park may temporarily close roads, visitor use facilities, parking areas and hiking trails. Park staff will post notifications of burns and closures in the alerts section of the park’s website and on social media on the days they take place.
NPS uses prescribed fire as a tool for natural resource management throughout the country. The prescribed fire program at Saratoga National Historical Park has three primary objectives: restoration and perpetuation of scenic and cultural landscapes, including native plant species; reduction of wildland fuel loading; and enhancement of wildlife habitat.
Firefighters from the National Wildland Fire Service, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Albany Pine Bush Preserve may provide assistance.
For more information about Saratoga National Historical Park, please call the Visitor Center at (518) 670-2985, visit www.nps.gov/sara, or find the park on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter) @SaratogaNHP.
The historic 79 Henry Street building has hit the market (Courtesy of Rohan Realty).
After years of construction, 79 Henry Street in Saratoga Springs has officially hit the market and is ready for its next owner.
The property sits on the historic site of Nemec’s Feed Store, a familiar Saratoga Springs location for many longtime residents. The previous barn structure was taken down as part of the redevelopment, and in its place, the current ownership group built a new three-story mixed-use building designed to reflect the character of the original property. Interior details and materials throughout the building pay tribute to that history.
The finished structure offers approximately 16,000 square feet of commercial space spread across four finished levels, plus a mezzanine on the third floor. The upper levels bring in strong natural light and offer views of downtown, making the space well suited for a range of commercial uses.
With the construction now complete, the building presents an opportunity for a new owner to bring their own vision to a highly visible downtown property with both modern infrastructure and a connection to the site’s history.
The property is listed for $4,250,000 by Dan Roohan, Associate Real Estate Broker, of Roohan Realty.
For more information, please contact the listing agent directly at (518) 527.7895 or dan@roohanrealty.com.
This April, as Donate Life Month begins, Saratoga County Clerk Craig A. Hayner is encouraging residents to take a simple step that can have a lasting impact: register as an organ donor during their next visit to a Saratoga County Department of Motor Vehicles office.
The Saratoga County DMV is partnering with Donate Life New York State to raise awareness about the lifesaving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation and to encourage more residents to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry.
Donate Life NYS is the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing organ, eye, and tissue donation through advocacy, education, research, and outreach.
Statewide, more than 80% of donors enroll while completing a transaction at a DMV. Saratoga County residents can register when applying for or renewing a driver’s license, permit, or non-driver ID. Anyone age 16 or older is eligible to enroll, regardless of medical history.
“We all have the opportunity to leave a legacy that reaches far beyond our own lives,” Hayner said. “Registering as an organ donor is a simple, meaningful way to do that.”
More than 3,200 lifesaving organ transplants were performed in New York State last year, yet approximately 8,000 New Yorkers remain on the national transplant waiting list. In 2025, roughly 300 patients in New York died while waiting for an organ that did not arrive in time.
The 2026 Donate Life Month theme, “Leave a Legacy,” uses trees as a symbol of life and connection, reflecting how donation links donors, recipients, and families, and how one decision can continue to grow and impact lives for generations.
Locally, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors recently passed a resolution recognizing April as Donate Life Month and encouraging employees across county departments to participate in Donate Life’s “Blue and Green Day” on April 10.
Saratoga County’s enrollment rate has steadily increased since the County DMV began promoting Donate Life Month in 2014. According to Donate Life NYS, 77% of the county’s eligible population was enrolled in the registry at the end of 2025, compared to just 39% in 2013.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to see how far our county has come,” Hayner said. “But there is still more work to do. Every new registration brings us one step closer to ensuring that no one is left waiting for the lifesaving gift they need.”
Gregory Pinto, MD was elected Treasurer of the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) at its annual House of Delegates meeting in Rochester, NY on March 27.
Dr Pinto is in private practice as a comprehensive ophthalmologist in Saratoga Springs and is currently Vice-President of EyesNY, a group practice with multiple locations in New York’s Capital District and North Country.
A graduate of the Union College/Albany Medical College Accelerated Medical Education Program, Dr Pinto completed his residencies in Internal Medicine and Ophthalmology at Albany Medical Center. He is Board-Certified in both specialties.
A Staff Physician at Saratoga Hospital and Glens Falls Hospital, Dr. Pinto serves on the Board of Trustees at Mohawk Valley Medical Associates and at Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, NY. He served as Secretary/Treasurer at Saratoga Hospital from 2000-2007.
Dr Pinto has been active in MSSNY for many years. His positions include 4th District President (2012-2018) and Councilor (2018-2024); Commissioner of Governmental Relations (2015-present); AMA delegate (2014-present) and AMA Delegation Chair (2023-present); and President of Saratoga County Medical Society (2000-present).
A Saratoga Springs man has been arrested after he allegedly abused a child in 2020.
Dana Day, 66, was arrested on March 30 and charged with one count of felony first degree sexual abuse, according to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.
The matter was first brought to the attention of the Sheriff’s Office on Feb. 20 after a complaint was filed. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Day assaulted the victim in the Town of Milton in September 2020.
Day was arraigned in the Milton Town Court and released to pretrial services pending further proceedings.
A Frankfort woman has been arrested and indicted after she allegedly helped Joseph Hess evade police after he ran over an elderly woman in October.
Lanessa Stewart, 36, was arrested by The Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office on March 26. She has been indicted on charges of felony 2nd degree hindering prosecution after she allegedly helped Hess evade law enforcement.
Hess, 32 was arrested by U.S. Marshalls back on October 21 after a five-day manhunt that ended in a motel just outside of Philadelphia, PA. He had been on the run since October 16 when he struck an elderly woman with a stolen car in a McDonald’s parking lot in Ballston Spa after stealing her purse.
The victim suffered a compound leg fracture in the incident and had to be treated at Albany Medical Center due to the injuries.
“Those who assist individuals in evading law enforcement, particularly in the aftermath of a violent felony, will be held accountable,” said District Attorney Brett Eby in a press release. “Our office remains committed to ensuring that anyone who obstructs justice or aids offenders in avoiding apprehension faces appropriate consequences under the law.”
It’s unclear what specific assistance Stewart provided Hess. A review of the indictment only said what she was charged with and when asked about the case, Eby only said that she helped Hess evade capture.
Stewart was arraigned in the Saratoga County Court and was released to pretrial services. She is due in court on April 16. Hess, meanwhile, was charged with first degree robbery, assault and other offenses. He is due back in court on April 13.
Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake), chair of the Racing and Wagering Committee, announced she helped bring forward and pass in the Assembly a package of bills to promote safe, responsible gambling.
“This weighty package of six bills, plus a resolution designating March as Problem Gambling Month, comes out of a legislative oversight hearing the committee held last year, establishes a framework of critical guardrails for mobile sports gaming, and ensures the health and safety of its participants are prioritized,” said Woerner.
Woerner’s legislation fills in regulatory gaps and protects vulnerable consumers by tightening up the account creation and sign-in protocols to reduce account sharing to keep underage young people off the betting apps, by using evidence-based criteria to identify at-risk behavior before an addiction starts, and by modernizing the process of voluntarily self-excluding from the state’s gaming venues (A.9113-B, A.9584-A).
The resolution draws further awareness to problem gambling and the resources available to help. These commonsense safeguards are similar to those the state places on other potentially addictive products and services.
“With the explosive rise of legal sports betting and mobile gambling, New Yorkers have more opportunities to wager than ever before. This new form of entertainment is a powerful economic driver, but we cannot ignore its impact on those with addictive tendencies,” Woerner continued. “That’s why strengthening protections against fraud and unfair wagers while supporting responsible gambling is crucial. I helped pass several bills to update New York’s gambling regulations, making this new industry a safer, more responsible part of our economy.”
Fellow legislators recognize the role of enacting policies to reduce overall harm in online gambling, and Woerner is working to implement their policy solutions. A bill from Assemblymember Alex Bores establishes a task force to study prop bets, particularly “unders” a category of sports wager that are highly susceptible to manipulation (A.10538).
One of the more challenging aspects of the interface design of mobile gambling is the difficulty of tracking net wins and losses, a feature that many app developers deliberately design. To assist players in responsible betting, legislation introduced by Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay would require monthly account activity statements be available for each user (A.10329).
New York strictly regulates advertising for alcohol, tobacco and other addictive products. Building on that framework, a bill introduced by Assemblyman Clyde Vanel brings mobile gaming operators under the same advertising regulations in place for traditional racing and wagering facilities (A.382-A). Finally, the legislative package offers hope and resources to New Yorkers struggling with problem gambling. Addiction of any form is a disease that can be treated with effort and patience. Assemblymember Phil Steck’s bill ensures that treatment is accessible by requiring health insurers to cover problem gambling services (A.8518).
“New York has seen rapid growth in gambling, particularly with the expansion of mobile sports wagering, and with that growth comes a responsibility to protect the public and support those who may be struggling,” Phil Steck, Chair of the Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse said. “My bill requiring health insurance plans to cover outpatient treatment for problem gambling is an important step because too many people who want help cannot access care when it is not consistently covered by insurance. As a result, many are forced to pay out of pocket or go without treatment altogether. At the same time, we cannot focus only on treatment after the fact. We also need strong safeguards in place to help prevent gambling addiction before it starts.”
